Clonakilla Pinot Noir 2025

Eminently pretty from the outset, with wonderfully lifted aromas of mashed strawberry, raspberry coulis, red cherry and lashings of perfectly ripe red rose bringing a beguiling perfume. A moment to unfurl reveals a substratum of baking spices — ground nutmeg, star anise, cinnamon — and flickers of violet adding to the floral dimension, with autumn leaves beneath contributing savoury complexity and interest. The palate is very lifted and pure in its red fruit and floral aesthetic, but there’s also intensity and fine-boned structure to anchor the wine. Raspberry and strawberry intermingle with red apple nuances as the florals permeate the mouth perfume, with autumn leaves again in the background. The tannins are firm and tight-grained, the acidity fresh and elongating to brilliant length. Classy Pinot Noir, capturing the pretty perfume and detailed complexity so enthralling about this grape. Excellent.