2013 Millton Clos de Ste. Anne Naboth's Vineyard Pinot Noir, Gisborne

Moderately deep ruby-red colour with light garnet hues on rim. This has a delicate nose with ethereal aromas of ripe dark red and black cherry and berry fruits along with subtle nuances of savoury dried herb and earthy detail forming a complex amalgam with mineral elements. The aromatics have a gently concentrated heart that grow in depth and concentration. Medium-bodied, ethereal fruit flavours of dark red cherry and berry fruit are complexed by dark red florals, savoury herb and earthy elements. The fruit is sweet and shows succulence, enlivened by pin-point acidity. The fruit is supported by fine, sinewy tannin extraction that combines with the acidity to lend a youthfully firm line with tension and energy. The tannins grow in prominence and carry the wine through to a long, lingering crisp finish with red floral notes. This is an elegant, ethereal Pinot Noir with complex red fruit, herb and earthy flavours and a fresh, sinewy structure. Match with firm-fleshed seafood, poultry and pork over the next 6-8+ years. Fruit 65% from ‘Naboth’s Vineyard’, clones 5 and Abel, vines planted in 1989, supplemented by clone 777 and 667 fruit from ‘La Pouche’, hand-picked, destemmed and indigenous yeast fermented with some whole berries to 14.0% alc., the wine spending one lunar cycle on skins and aged 11 months in 15% new barriques. 18.0+/20 Feb 2015 RRP $60.00

18/20 Raymond Chan