Single-vineyard pinot noir from Dalrymple's home turf in Pipers River. The most lifted and red-fruited of the single-site releases. Bright red cherry, red plum and blood orange fruit tones with underlying hints of Chinese five-spice, dried cranberries, rose petals, biltong, cinnamon and earth. Calm and savoury with some sea spray nuance to the minerally acid pulse, lovely airy red fruits, chalky tannins and a fine, elegant presence.

Good depth of colour, medium-full with a bright tint of purple, and spicy aromas that bring to mind cola and sarsaparilla, with quite lifted aromatics and lots of detail, including an early whiff of smoked meats. The wine is refined and light on its feet, with freshness from acidity and an appealing finish, firmed up by fine grained tannins.

Smoky, ashy notes meld with earthy beetroot and stemmy spice in an alluring and interesting opening. There’s also plum and subtly sweet pops of raspberry leaf tea, but in the main this is earthy, full of dark spice and savouriness. Some chocolate and nutmeg notes emerge with air. Very compelling. The palate follows suit though with unexpected sapidity. Intense notes of beetroot, smoke, earth, ripe raspberry and plum burst through the mouth with assurance and power before being assertively constricted by fine-but-firm mocha-laced tannins and a big line of acid. Good long length here, defined by a mocha-bitterness and liquorice root in the mouth perfume. This is a dark, powerful and commanding wine that still needs time to soften. Time in the cellar will reward.