"Our Pinots have quite high levels of fruit tannins and low levels of new oak (ca 20%) compared to the majority of NZ and even French Pinots. This helps create a long-lived wine with what we believe is a more authentic expression of “terroir”. In the first 2-3 years it can be mistakenly perceived by some to be oaky, maybe even a touch of tart, but these characters do soften a lot more quickly than flavours of oak, and within 3-4 years the wine will open out and its varietal pedigree can then speak for itself. This wine is bright ruby with a slightly purple rim and has a very feminine perfume of old-fashioned violets, sweet strawberry and other red berries underpinned with the aroma of warm pastry, cinnamon and black tea. The palate is elegant with textured velvety tannins. It has floral tones, which merge into red currant/cranberry and a touch of cassis, followed by gently roasted nuts and fruitcake spice on the back palate. We expect the wine to be more forward than the long-lived ’03 and maybe ’02 vintages and to cellar well for 7+ years under good cellaring conditions."  Winemaker's notes.