Ocean Eight Aylward Pinot Noir 2021

This vintage has a medium blood red in hue and despite a few years in the bottle displays pronounced sweet ripe raspberry fruit on both the nose and front palate. In addition there are some of that most desirable trait for really good Pinot Noir, a damp forest floor character.
Whilst the nose is attractive the wine almost explodes with flavour on the palate. It is simply bursting with raspberry, cherry and plums as well as some smoky oak and again that autumnal note. There is a slinky smooth velvety texture which elevates the wine to something really special.
There is so much flavour that the structural elements are somewhat hidden however it the aftertaste they are certainly there with plenty of both acid and tannin present to indicate that the wine will improve with further aging but you can enjoy the wine very much right now.
Roast duck or quail with a supporting fruity sauce would be the best match with this fine wine.
97 points - Jamie Goode, wineanorak.com