Bring on the tuna, either tartare or lightly grilled. This is the perfect wine. It’s bone dry, light and silky in the mouth, and crisp in acidity, a lovely, elegant Pinot Noir with modest alcohol that feels just fine. The flavors are of cherries, cola and pomegranates. Beautiful now, and should develop bottle complexity over the next six years. ——S.H.(12/31/2011)—— 93

There’s a very good wine in here, but the winery has released it far too early, which shifts the burden of cellaring to the buyer. Right now it’s all primary fruit, acidity and oak. But the fruit is beautifully layered in tiers of roasted blackberries, grilled cherries and cola, and the oak is splendid. This dry, silky wine desperately needs to be held until at least late 2010, and should drink well through 2014.——S.H.(12/31/2009)—— 92

This has been a great bottling from W.H. Smith, and it is the most interesting and complex of the winery’s current releases. Very dry, its elegantly silky structure frames intricate flavors of baked cherry, cherry skin, red currant, root beer, licorice and cedar, with an elaboration of Asian spices and a sprinkle of cocoa. Really fascinates as it changes in the glass, and best now and through 2013. ——S.H.(2/1/2009)—— 94

Shows the precision and control of Smith’s previous Maritime Pinot, marked by a tense, exciting structure. Crisp acids and fine, dusty tannins dance with earthy cherry and cola fruit, herbs and oak to create a complex, tremendously rewarding palate experience. Best now through 2010.——S.H.(12/15/2007)—— 93