2018 Earth Smoke Pinot Noir
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Tasting notes
Like its stablemate, the 2018 Earth Smoke Pinot Noir delivers ample complexity and intellectual interest, but it also includes some slightly feral, edgy notes. Apropos to the name, hints of earth and smoke do show up on the nose, backed by black cherries and vaguely resinous herbs. It's medium to full-bodied and features ripe, supple tannins and an open, generous feel in the mouth but also some cider-like acids and perhaps even a slight prickle on the finish. I do think it's less problematic than the Angel Flower bottling, and it should provide more enjoyment now and over the next several years.
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Tasted alongside its stablemate, Angel Flower, this is the more powerful, richer, more immediately impressive of the pair. The brooding fragrance is reminiscent of red cherries, thyme, tobacco and tea leaves, as well as subtle spices of oak barrel maturation. This has the most heft of the PV Pinots, with a chalky tannic grip adding to its sense of power. Despite the chemical analysis showing a pH of 4.1 (yikes!) and total acidity of just 3.67, this still has a refreshing conclusion. It will drink well over the medium term.
Lots of lime and clay in the subsoil and chips of limestone through rich subsoil. Just 400 m from the Angel Flower vineyard. To be released April 2020. Darker and deeper and richer fruit on the nose than the Angel Flower. Savoury and more reductive on the palate. More weight of fruit. Firmer and chewier, earthier and more dense. Notably savoury. (JH)