Pale ruby in color, the 2008 Tinker’s Field Pinot Noir presents expressive scents of red cherry, lavender and underbrush with a touch of cassia. Crisp, medium bodied with medium-firm very fine grained tannins, it has a long spice laced finish. Drink it 2012 to 2017. Nick Mills was very cautious about doing single block wines until he was certain that a specific area of his vineyard was showing a particular character that was worth singling out. “I don’t think vines can begin to express terroir before 15 years of age,” he pointed out as we climbed the slopes of his property, taking-in the breathtakingly gorgeous views over Lake Wanaka. After years of experiments, from 2008 Nick has started producing two single block expressions: Emma’s Block and Tinker’s Field. Both wines are very exciting new wines for Pinot lovers the world over. And for those have any doubts that Central Otago Pinots can age, I’ve added a note here for a gracefully evolving 1990 Pinot Noir (Made by Rudi Bauer, now at Quartz Reef) that I tasted with Nick at the property. All the 2008 Pinot Noirs received a similar elevage: 16 months in barrel, 25-30% new French barriques for the first winter then racked to seasoned wood for the second winter. Importer: Station Imports, Colorado Springs, CO; tel. (719) 633-2184