2023, Felton Road, Calvert, Pinot Noir

The 2023 Pinot Noir Calvert is a herbal, scented expression that gives the sense you've just crushed a bouquet garni. It's full, concentrated and sumptuous with ripe black cherries, raspberries and cream. Like other 2023s, this has a richness of tannin and exceptional acidity, coating the palate satisfyingly and providing texture and assurance on the long, spiced finish. 93 Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous (2025).

The 2023 Calvert Pinot Noir is abundantly berry driven on the nose, with ripe summer cherries, mulberry, forest floor, pomegranate molasses and peppercorns. In the mouth, the wine leads with firm tannins, which are laced with Szechuan peppercorns and sandalwood spice and brought into focus by acidity that skirts the edges of brisk but lands gently on juicy. This is a lovely wine, further compounding my affection for the wines of the 2023 vintage on the South Island. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. 95 Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate (2025).

Mid cherry. More sweetly perfumed than the Bannockburn. Pure peppery cherry, with a light stemmy/herbal note highlighting the freshness. Deliciously dry and fresh on the palate. Deep, whole and gently chewy. 17.5 Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com (2024).

Lifted aromas of strawberries, cherries and orange peel. The palate is pure with finely integrated tannins and bright acidity, giving notes of raspberries, dried herbs, wet bark and cedar. Very tightly wound with a high tension that will unravel in years to come. Drink or hold. Screw cap. 96 James Suckling, jamessuckling.com (2024).

Perfumed black fruit with dried thyme and savoury mushroom, smoky coffee nuances: this is aromatically complex but also a bit edgy. The angular, chalky tannins coating the palate are currently chewy and contribute to a sense of austerity on the otherwise long finish. Beneath the structure is evident perfume and elegance waiting to emerge. It just needs time. 94 Stephen Wong MW, The Real Review (2024).

Drinking Window: 2025 - 2038