2013 Fromm Fromm Vineyard Pinot Noir, Marlborough

Hand-picked fruit, predominantly Dijon with Abel clones, from the ‘Fromm’ vineyard, full-destemmed and indigenous yeast fermented with a high portion of whole berries to 13.5% alc.,the wine spending 3-4 weeks on skins and aged 18 months in 10-15% new French oak. Unfined and unfiltered. Moderately deep ruby-red colour with lighter garnet hues on the rim. The nose is full with delicate and ethereal aromas of black cherry and black berried fruits intermixed with black minerally elements forming a tight core. Spice notes and piquant herb and stalk nuances are lifted by violet florals, and nuances of nuts and cherry liqueur unfold. Medium-full bodiedthe palate features a tightly concentrated heart of ripe black berry and cherry fruit entwined with black mineral note. The fruit is supported by considerable extract and structure, the tannins very fine-grained and flowery in texture. Ripe acidity adds to the palate tension, vitality and linearity, and the wine carries to a very long, fine, dry finish with black fruit and mineral flavours. This is an elegant, refined black-fruited Pinot Noir with considerable tannin structure and grip.

5 ✭ raymondchanreviews.co.nz

Impressively pure and powerful Pinot Noir with cherry, raspberry, mineral, violet and spicy oak flavours. Subtle fruit sweetness is balanced by fine tannins to give a long, drying finish. I can confidently predict that the wine will develop well in the bottle. 14 AUG 2015

96 points Bob Campbell MW therealreview.com