Lucid ruby colour. The nose has good lift from the glass with well defined raspberry, dark cherry and cranberry fruit, well defined with just a hint of strawberry jam developing with time and later some damp undergrowth. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, rounded tannins, perhaps lacking the clarity of other New World Pinot Noirs, good weight, gentle grip towards the finish that shows just a tad too much alcohol but overall, quite pleasurable. Drink now. Tasted November 2009.

Elegance is the keyword for all the wines of DDO, with the added bonus of structure that almost begs for cellaring. This lovely Pinot Noir effortlessly captures the essence of the grape without any heavy-handed oak, alcohol or over-ripeness. Truly Burgundian, a moderate 14% alcohol, it offers seamless integration of berry and plum fruit, natural acids and lightly applied oak accents of sandalwood and toasted cracker.——P.G.(4/1/2009)—— 91