A blend of 4 sites, including 3 different single vineyard sites, this wonderfully expressive Pinot Noir swirls with opulent aromas of black cherry, wild strawberries, sweet kola, glossy plums, rosehip, and orange. It is pure and jewel-like with floral high tones and a whisper of cinnamon giving it a feminine and sensuous character, while a smoky flint-like reduction adds another layer of intrigue. It has glowingly healthy fruit, as if each berry had been asked to remove its shoes and take a shower before leaping into the vat. The use of whole-bunch grapes (25%) adds both a firmness and a roundness to the tannins, and a succulence to the fruit that makes this Pinot Noir so open and vibrant. The wood fuses with the fruit so harmoniously and the cool style perfectly underlines the chalky, barren Terra Fusca soils from where it heralds. This is a seriously impressive Pinot Noir for sub-£20. One of the best we have ever tasted. Think a very good Villages Burgundy level in terms of quality with a nod to Oregon or New Zealand in terms of style. Just gorgeous! 12-18 months in new French oak. Organic. 12.5% alc. Drink now – 2028.