Angel Flower Pinot Noir, Pyramid Valley Vineyards 2022

The 2022 Pinot Noir Angel Flower makes its return after 2021 failed to deliver a crop - spring frosts and cool flowering dashed hopes early in the season. But this comeback vintage has delivered a very complete style. It's calm, collected and equivalent to a ball of silk for the mouth. Slightly riper in fruit weight compared with its sister wine, Earth Smoke, its tannins are fine and rounded, contributing to that mellow approachability even upon release. The 2022 is pure and broody, with dried herbs and subtle cedar notes lingering on the finish.

Botanicals collection. Waikari vineyard. Cask sample.
Complex spicy nose. Real freshness and sap. But with sweetness too. Not remotely heavy and very distinctive in a New Zealand context. Lightly peppery finish. Sprightly. (JR)