2023 Pyramid Valley Earth Smoke Pinot Noir

97 POINTS

Emma Jenkins MW - Decanter

Very ethereal nose; a waft of tart cherry and wild strawberry, another of delicate cinnamon and rose petals, then another with savoury forest floor, mushroom and herb notes. The palate has lovely flow, all finesse and restraint but with deceptive build. Tannins are slightly chewy but very fine and integrated, and it’s very long. An absolute baby, and there’s not much of this due to the frosty spring, so snap it up if you can.

96 POINTS

Dave Brookes - Halliday Wine Companion

A wonderfully expressive release of the Earth Smoke with poised red and dark cherry and wild strawberry fruits with hints of mountain wildflowers, crushed herbs, porcini, sous bois, souk-like spice and earth. Complex and layered with perhaps a little more chew to the tannin profile than the Angel Flower. Flavours unfurl on the palate, stretching out long and true, with the chalky, sapid acidity showing boundless energy and verve. A beautiful, graceful and soulful expression of North Canterbury pinot noir.

95 POINTS

Rebecca Gibb MW - Vinous

The 2023 Pinot Noir Earth Smoke is tender and transparent, mellow and mouth-filling. Restrained in expression within the context of the New World, it is a little reductive, herbal (with the agave-like flavor of good tequila) and fruity with strawberry and red cherry flavors. The palate is mouthwateringly fresh, with chalky tannins leaving a fine powdery veil. This is pure, satisfying and the essence of its terroir. It does feel rather fragile, and as such, my drinking window is currently set for the next ten years.

95 POINTS

Christina Pickard - Wine Enthusiast

This is ethereal, layered, but seamlessly so: a grind of pepper and sprinkle of cinnamon here, a shave of truffles there, with delicate blueberry and red fruit and florals pulsing throughout. In the mouth, there's a silky texture with a crunch of acidity. This vintage is less concentrated than previous ones—it whispers rather than shouts—but it's an ultra classy drinking experience nonetheless.

94 POINTS

James Suckling

A silky, transparent and minerally pinot noir with an enticing nose of sour cherries, forest berries, wet stones and baking spices. Medium-bodied with bright acidity. Vivid and agile, with gentle fruit character and a stony, minerally influence. Long, peppery finish. From biodynamically grown grapes.

91 POINTS

Erin Larkin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2023 Earth Smoke Pinot Noir is lead and tightly coiled. It doesn't have the gently fleshy fruit of the Angel Flower, nor the latent power of the Snake's Tongue. This is driven by its acidity and structure. It's an altogether different expression of Pinot Noir from the vineyard in North Canterbury. 12.5% alcohol, sealed under Diam and wax.