Waikari, North Canterbury
Viticulture
Planted between 2000-2002 at high density of 11,111 vines/ha and farmed bio-dynamically from inception, Earth Smoke is an expansive 0.8ha block on east-facing, limestone-clay slopes with strong, beautifully structured soils.
25% clay, 15% active lime.
Winemaking
Carefully hand sorted, fully destemmed and fermented with yeasts from the vineyard, gently fermented using infusion methods for 21-27 days. Settled in tank before being transferred to French wooden cuves and barrel. Elevage of 18 months, then bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting notes
Moderate black cherry colour, present and brooding in the glass. A deep, dark feel to the aromas, brooding black cherry and dark plum, pure and comforting, orange, Christmas cake spices, hints of warm, damp forest earth, precise and compelling. Lovely warm, ripe black cherry pastry feel on the palate, open and delicious kept in its place by wonderful savoury, sappy nuances, a hint of charcoal and vanilla; dense and long with no hint of sweetness just immaculate ripeness and the feel of clay and chalk. An iron fist in a velvet glove. Incredible.
Our 2020 Earth Smoke Pinot Noir is proudly one of the world’s first origin-verified wines. We partner with Oritain to scientifically trace the geochemical fingerprint* of our wine back to the unique clay and limestone-rich soils of the vineyard block it is named after.
