Red, Pinot Noir
New Zealand
Year 2020
13.5% Alcohol
by Pyramid Valley
About
'Biodynamic. Pyramid Valley’s Pinot Noir vineyards are densely planted on clay/limestone slopes. Earth Smoke sits on the richer soils of the two; an expansive, east-facing slope with strong, beautifully structured soils comparatively high in limestone. The name here comes from the nickname given to fumitory, a plant of the poppy family that can be found thriving in this 0.85-hectare plot. Although both wines share a familial DNA, the later-picked Earth Smoke is typically the more structured and darker of the two, with more fruit weight to go with its tender, fine tannins. The fruit for the 2020 was carefully hand-sorted, fully destemmed, and fermented wild. Following 21 to 27 days on skins, the juice was pressed and then settled in tank before being transferred by gravity to French barrels for 18 months.
The combination of high sunlight, high UV, moderate temperatures, and decent humidity is nirvana for temperate plants. Pyramid’s vines respond by harnessing all this energy to ripen grapes that are full of the delicate aromas, beautiful flavours and refined phenolics that are the benchmark for fine, cool-climate Pinot Noir (and often lost in warmer, more stressful climates). The 2020 Angel Flower and Earth Smoke are resplendent with this energy and the unique stamp of their particular part of the Waikari vineyard.
The aromas themselves are as beguiling as they are surprising: brooding black cherry and dark plum, orange, Christmas cake spices and hints of warm, damp forest. The palate has a pure and comforting ripe black cherry pastry feel that’s pulled into line by wonderful savoury, sappy nuances and fine acidity. It’s dense and long with not an ounce of fat, just-perfect ripeness and the feel of clay and chalk with a refined, mineral-tinged close. Again, it is already showing its inner beauty, but stash it away for at least a few years and you will be rewarded.' - Pyramid Valley
Expert Reviews
- RG
- 98
Rebecca Gibb, Vinous
The 2019 Pinot Noir Earth Smoke is a complex, intriguing wine that draws you into a labyrinth of aromas and flavors. The sensitive use of oak (older barrels of 1–4 years old) allows the layers of unadulterated fruit to shine through the herbals of rosemary, pine and the exotic cinnamon-like spices. While it's densely concentrated and has a satisfying sense of weight on the mid-palate, the wine’s naturally ebullient energy and acidity are ever present, providing a sense of transparency and freshness; this may have something to do with the high active lime content in the soil. Indeed, there's a distinctly chalky character and a tension on the finish that goes on and on. This is a wine I'd happily drown in.
Shipping Info
Boccaccio Cellars offers free shipping for 12 or more bottles of wine, or if the value of the wine is over $300. Fixed Shipping $12 Australia wide on wine when you don’t qualify for free shipping. Beer slabs attract a $20 per carton freight cost Australia Wide.
By default orders are shipped via Australia Post, unless you are located in a 3km zone from our store. Please note Australia post do not call prior to delivery, so please do not request this in your order as it is not possible. They also do not deliver during certain times. Their standard times are 9-5 weekdays.