Andrew Jefford: Deep, dark black-red, but clear. Warm, resonant scents in which oak plays a major though not overly distractive role; there is prominent, vivid red fruit beneath. The palate is lively, fleshy, vivid—perhaps a little forcefully acidic; yet there is a fully engaged core of bright red fruit to support that acidity. It’s a sergeant major among Pinots: rather bright and brassy, full of front, well turned out, energetic, and reverberative, yet true enough to the varietal ideal. Greater subtlety of flavor and texture for the future? New Zealand? 14

Anthony Rose: Deep, bright, youthful ruby hue, with a fine, dark, red-berry-fruits fragrance behind a palate that’s primary in character and rich in dark-red-berry and loganberry-like opulence and concentration. Still almost too youthful for its own good, with a seductively sweet berryish succulence of texture. Really refreshing acidity backed up by firm grippy tannins. A wine that seems to speak of its terroir. New Zealand. 17.5

Joanna Simon: Very deep, young color. Ripe, lush black-cherry aromas. Intense, ripe, concentrated, black-cherry palate, with spicy oak, fresh acidity, and mouth-coating ripe tannins. Dense, long; high alcohol. A powerhouse of a Pinot Noir. Will become more complex but may always be rather chunky. New Zealand? 15.5