2019 Emma's Block Pinot Noir

The 2019 Emma's Block Mature Vine Pinot Noir is alive on the nose—energy abounds. In the mouth, the wine is lively and lithe, with equal helpings of al dente red fruits and grey spice. The telltale texture through the finish of the 2020 is here in spades—it is sleek without being polished or made and effortless. It’s like the wet coat of an otter. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under Diam.

Full bottle 1,301 g. From a specific east-facing block on the lakefront where blue clay reefs run laterally through fine schist gravel. Mature vines were grown biodynamically and hand-harvested. Spontaneous fermentation and oak-ageing for two winters before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. Transparent garnet. Very pale rim. Some delicacy on the nose and marked freshness on the palate. Seems more youthful than the Rippon Mature Vine 2019 bottling. Tertiary aromas of bitter cherries are only just starting to form. Notably more complex and less sweet than the Central Otago Pinot norm. Deserves further cellaring. Good things are worth waiting for! (JR)