The wine has a compelling bright, crimson/purple colour. Aromatically it is profound, showing some of the classic cool-climate Pinot characters of cranberry and dark cherry. There are exotic spice and a lovely mossy earthiness. Intriguing brown spice notes, anise & cinnamon with a tasty lick of black pepper emerge as a regional characteristic in the Waitaki. In the mouth the wine is sublime, in its extreme youth it feels energetic and vital, much like a young Burgundy. There is tension, fine grained, powdery tannins, crunchy acid and gently warming alcohol which provide a textural framework for the wine to express this amazing site. It is without doubt the finest Pinot Noir we have ever made. Jeff Sinnott, Winemaker