This fine pinot noir has 12.5% alcohol, ruby hues and scents of violets. The front palate has lifted raspberry flavor, the middle palate Morello cherry, spearmint, cloves and supple vanillin oak and the finish flinty tannins. Try it with roast duck. 4.5 Stars

For pure pleasure this wine has it going on. No demands; all delivery. Cherry-plum and indeed macerated berries in general, though these flavours are delivered minus the attitude; it’s not a surly wine, its cheerful. Spice notes, creamy oak, violets and musk. There’s a subtle sweetness to the fruit, almost a raspberried character, but it’s threaded with spice. It’s varietal. It’s refreshing. It’s not deep but it’s not too light. Dum-de-dum. You can almost hear it whistling while it works.

I need to rid myself of my habit of asking about whole bunch percentages in pinot noir. Sommeliers love these kinds of details but, really, it’s not about the numbers. It’s about the way the winemaker (in this case adroitly) works it into the wine. The lifted perfume in this one is what gives it its delight. Furry raspberries, potpourri and lavender waft up seductively without even swirling the glass. There’s a concentration and strength under all the prettiness, though. The red fruits on the tongue are subtly permeated with spice and there’s a hint of savoury tomato on the finish.

Has the perfume that is fast becoming the hallmark of all Shaw + Smith Pinots, and the sleight of hand that imbues these wines with the power, intensity and length that becomes more and more apparent each time you return to the glass. The flavours are of wild or not fully ripened strawberries, with all sorts of spice and hints of violets.

I need to rid myself of my habit of asking about whole bunch percentages in pinot noir. Sommeliers love these kinds of details but, really, it’s not about the numbers. It’s about the way the winemaker (in this case adroitly) works it into the wine. The lifted perfume in this one is what gives it its delight. Furry raspberries, potpourri and lavender waft up seductively without even swirling the glass. There’s a concentration and strength under all the prettiness, though. The red fruits on the tongue are subtly permeated with spice and there’s a hint of savoury tomato on the finish.

Has the perfume that is fast becoming the hallmark of all Shaw + Smith Pinots, and the sleight of hand that imbues these wines with the power, intensity and length that becomes more and more apparent each time you return to the glass. The flavours are of wild or not fully ripened strawberries, with all sorts of spice and hints of violets.