Pale to medium ruby-purple in color, the 2009 Emma’s Block Pinot Noir has delicate red berry and red rose aromas over notes of white pepper, tree bark and underbrush plus a hint of mace. Tight knit and crisp on the palate with a medium-firm level of grainy tannins, it offers excellent red berry and earthy flavor concentration, finishing long. Drink it from 2013 to 2020+. Nick Mills’ Rippon Pinots can appear a bit austere and taut when they’re young as he refuses to bow to the trend for earlier drinking styles and is unrelenting in his aim to produce terroir expressive wines built to age. These wines really open-up after a few years in bottle, developing gracefully into some of the longest living Pinots currently coming out of New Zealand. Though this estate may be somewhat under the mainstream radar, it comes highly recommended by me! Importer: Station Imports, Colorado Springs, CO