2023 Black Estate Damsteep Pinot Noir, North Canterbury

Complex and new, core varietal fruit scents of raspberry and black cherry flesh. There’s a layer of crumbled clay and suggestions of limestone then scents of earth and barrel spice combinations. Very floral with a violet touch and soft savoury spice complexity. Dry, taut and new still with a definitive palate squeeze from acidity and tannins, then, the core fruits of red berries and plums then blackcurrant and violets. Mouthfeel, tannins and leesy barrel textures complete this wine. Youthful with plenty of development time ahead. Well made and lengthy with best drinking from 2028 through 2034+.

94 points Cameron Douglas MS camdouglasms.com

Black Estate Damsteep Pinot Noir from North Canterbury is a vivid and expressive wine that captures the character of its unique hillside vineyard in the Waipara Valley. Located on steep north-facing slopes with dense clay over sandstone and active limestone, the Damsteep site yields Pinot Noir with lifted aromatics, fine structure and a deep mineral core.

Biodynamically farmed and crafted by Nicholas Brown and Penelope Naish, the fruit is handpicked and fermented with indigenous yeasts, incorporating whole bunches for aromatic complexity and tannin drive. It’s then aged in older French oak barrels for around 12 months, with no fining or filtration to maintain purity and site expression.

On the nose, it’s perfumed and wild, offering notes of red cherry, black raspberry, dried rose, clove and fresh earth. The palate is taut and focused, with bright acidity, silky tannins and a long, stony finish. Damsteep Pinot Noir always leans toward the savoury side of the variety, with subtle floral lift and plenty of energy.

Ideal with venison, game birds, lentil stew or roasted root vegetables. This wine will drink well young with a decant, but also reward five to ten years in the cellar.