Cornish Point Pinot Noir, Felton Road 2019

The 2019 Cornish Point highlights why Nigel Greening thinks this might be the best ever vintage at Felton Road. From vines that are now 19 years old, the wine is almost blueish mid-ruby in the glass. Immediate and expansive on the nose, with savoury fruit and summer pudding vying for attention as well as meaty nutmeg and dried herbs. This complex and enticing profile follows on the palate, which benefits from cashmere-textured, ripe tannins. Succulent and fleshy with intense red and black fruit, there are layers of peppery smoke that build layers of complexity. The spherical, sumptuous nature of the wine will make it immediately enjoyable on release, but the complexity, intensity and length suggest it will only improve with time.