Andrew Jefford: Dark black-red. Dry, gorgeous black-cherry fruits come shimmering out of the glass; sweet-edged and kirschy. Not subtle but very attractive. On the palate, the wine is deep, vivid, brightly acidic yet sweetly fruited, supported by some modest tannin. There is just a slightly grassy spine behind the sweet fruit. Huge flavor energy would make this wine a slightly challenging drink, but it is true Pinot and reflects its solar origins with exuberant fidelity. The challenge for the future is to get more textural depth into the wine, more mid-palate power and wealth, and to sheathe the wine’s primeval energy. But this is an excellent base on which to build. 16