2020 Pyramid Valley North Canterbury Pinot Noir

96 POINTS

Cameron Douglas MS

There’s no mistaking the sense of place with aromas of white soil and wild flowers, the varietal signature of red berries with cherry and old strawberry sitting nicely alongside moments of plum then spice. Fine tannins and acidity salivate and coat the palate with texture and finesse while red fruits and wild flowers are at the core and mid-palate. Youthful and new, complex and varietal, a wine of place and time, complexity and charm. camdouglasms.com

95 POINTS

Rebecca Gibb MW - Vinous

"There’s delicious perfume with some sappy notes and pure red fruit to intensity kick things off, alongside touches of bramble, florals and a lick of blue fruit. The fine boned structure screams cool climate with powdery tannins and delicate oak supporting a palate that suggests ripe, intensely-flavoured grapes picked at the perfect time, with good acidity. The finish possesses real class and impressive purity. It’s tighter and more coiled than the Central Otago Pinot—if you can’t give it time to unwind, a good decant will work wonders." Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous

94 POINTS

James Suckling

"A perfumed nose of rooibos tea, crushed strawberries, rose petal, grated nutmeg and moss. Medium-bodied with silky tannins. Textural and vibrant with an array of floral notes that combine and add depth to red fruit, herbs and spice, culminating in an impressive finish. Long. Drink or hold." James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com

93 POINTS

Michael Cooper MW

"The very ageworthy 2020 vintage was hand-harvested at four sites, fermented with indigeous yeasts, matured for a year in French oak barrels (20 per cent new), and then aged in tanks for four months on its light yeast lees before bottling. Full, bright ruby, it is fragrant and mouthfilling, with generous, youthful cherry, plum and spice flavours, refined tannins, and excellent complexity and harmony. Already delicious, it should be at its best 2024+." 4.5 stars Michael Cooper, Michael Cooper's Buyer's Guide New Zealand