14% Hawkes Bay, New Zealand (cork sealed) Tasted at 21 years. Hawkes Bay has rarely made Pinot-like Pinot, excepting in its ‘active’ limestone infused, high country interior – rare terroir anywhere in NZ. Sneakily, this initially offered unexpectedly fresh, spicy clove and red fruit/cherry aromas. Finely bodied with a fine viscosity and crisp acidity running throughout. I found it quaffable Pinot - light, fine and vibrant - although not a lot of depth or length, cheerful stuff. I liked it. However, with a bit of airing, it really grew on me, impressively welling up on the back-palate and hanging on at the sides of the mouth with juicy acidity (every so tartly, without being sour). Fooled at first, this became a quite serious wine with terrific persistence. 18/20. Tasted 2.25