2016 First Paddock Pinot Noir

Gibbston Valley subregion, single vineyard. Limpid, pale ruby-purple. Cinnamon and clove, fresh earth and flint. Scented red cherry. Crisp, flinty and spicy palate, with more clove oak, light-medium, chalky tannins and good length. (TJ)

Sam Neill's First Paddock is starting to show some significant vine age, as it was planted to Clone 5 in 1993. There are 200 cases of the 2016 The First Paddock Pinot Noir, a medium-bodied, velvety-textured expression of a cool site in a warm vintage. Floral notes abound, along with dark fruit and savory, earthy notes. Despite its rich texture, there's some serious backbone to this wine, and it should age well for up to a decade.