2019 Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Pinot Noir

95 POINTS

James Suckling

“A brilliance and sweetness of fruit on the nose with cherries and lightly dried strawberries. Orange peel undertones. Medium- to full-bodied, with a tightness and firmness in texture from the linear tannins that hold the wine tight and focused. Very pretty already but needs a few years to fully come together.” Jamessuckling.com

94 POINTS

Bob Campbell MW - The Real Review

“Rich, concentrated, fleshy pinot noir with ripe plum, cassis, savoury/dried herb and subtle dark chocolate flavours. Bold, complex wine that is accessible now but has the structure to get even better with bottle age.” Bob Campbell, the Real Review

93 POINTS

Rebecca Gibb MW - Vinous

The 2019 Pinot Noir (North Canterbury) is a floral yet broody Pinot Noir that was 25% whole-bunch-fermented and spent a long time on skins but saw a very light extraction regimen. The result is a suave, full wine with finely detailed tannins followed by acidity that flows like water. Expect flavors of plum, black cherry, cinnamon and black tea that linger long. While there's structure to keep this going over the medium term at the very least, it is drinking beautifully now. All you need now is the duck to pair with it.

93 POINTS

Gary Walsh - The Wine Front

No shortage of personality with these wines from Pyramid Valley, and they seem true to the original ethos of the winery. All the spice here, and I’m thinking nutmeg, allspice, maybe even garam masala, along with blood plum and raspberry. with an earthy character too. It’s fleshy and spicy, some roast beetroot earthiness with plum and cherry, a sappy feel too, dried rose and tamarind tang, and a slightly muddy, dried herb and orange peel finish of solid length. Heaps of character. I’d drink it now, and enjoy it for its unfettered and wild personality. Great drinking.

91 POINTS

Huon Hooke - The Real Review

Medium to deep red colour with a tint of purple, the aromas herbal, foresty and sweetly-stewed cherry-like, slightly bunchy and quite complex. The palate is medium-bodied and sprinkled with very ample tannins, giving firmness and a little bitterness. Medium-length and a chewy aftertaste. Food needed.

90 POINTS

Joe Czerwinski - Wine Advocate

Slightly floral and stemmy, yet loaded with ripe black cherries as well, the 2019 North Canterbury Pinot Noir is an intriguing effort. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and appealing, firmly structured, with a long, dusty finish, it appears to be capable of at least six years of positive evolution.