2022 Big Sky Martinborough Provenance (Black Label) Pinot Noir

"Lovely bouquet with soft red berry fruits, sweet oak spices and rocky soil layers. Complex and youthful. Equally engaging texture on the palate with an abundance of fine to firm tannins, medium+ acidity and warming alcohol. All the while the core of fruit persists with a baked strawberry edge. Well-made and lengthy finish. 2027. "

"Powerful and opulent, this impressive pinot displays dark berry, black olive, mushroom, dried herb and cedar aromas on the nose. It is concentrated and plush on the palate, and delivers excellent fruit weight and intensity, leading to a superbly long, velvety finish. It is delectable and engaging at the same time, and is hugely appealing. At its best: now to 2022. $45.00. www.bigskywines.co.nz. Oct 2016."

"Even, dark ruby-red colour, lighter on the edge with some garnet hues. The nose is full and voluminous with aromas of ripe, dark-red berry and cherry fruit along with nuances of black plums, earth and some lifted, cedary, spicy oak, melded with notes of dark herbs and game complexities. Medium-full bodied, this has a plush and juicy palate with finely concentrated and well-bound flavours of red cherry and berry fruit interwoven with layers of spicy, cedary oak, dried herbs and lifted red florals. The fruit is supported by moderately extracted, fine-grained, flowery tannins that lend a refined texture, and the acidity is softly integrated. The wine flows smoothly along a velvety line, leading to a long, lingering finish of dark-red berry and cherry fruit, with spicy, cedary oak layers. Match with coq au vin and casserole over the next 6-7 years. 100% clone 115 from Te Muna Road, vines 15 y.o., the fruit from selected vineyard parcels, hand-picked and indigenous yeast fermented to 13.6% alc., the wine spending 28 days on skins and aged 22 months in 35% new oak. 18.5/20 Oct 2016 RRP $45.00."