Te Mata Alma Pinot Noir 2020

Established in 1896, Te Mata Estate remains family-owned, producing internationally recognized wines exclusively from its Hawke’s Bay vineyards, located on New Zealand’s North Island. Te Mata Estate is home to New Zealand’s oldest vineyards and wine cellars with 125 years of continuous wine production. Today, the Buck family delivers internationally acclaimed estate-grown wines of classical style, which represent the best qualities of their variety, vintage and vineyard including Coleraine, New Zealand’s most famous red wine.

Alma celebrates Dr James Thomson, a hero of the 1854 Battle of the Alma during the Crimean War and forefather to Te Mata Estate’s Buck family. Knowing the vanquished enemy soldiers had already contracted cholera, Dr Thomson volunteered to tend to their wounds, saving the lives of over four hundred, and sacrificing his own in the process. The medal he was awarded for this selfless act of valour appears on the label of Alma Pinot Noir. Te Mata Alma Pinot Noir was first planted in 1999. 

Brilliant crimson with a royal purple edge, Alma Pinot Noir ’20 has an entrancing nose of wild strawberry and cherry syrup, oriental spice, sea salt and woodsmoke. The complex palate deepens into five spice, truffle, and earth notes, with just the slightest fragrance of Earl Grey tea. Bright red fruit sparkles among a filigree of tannin. Alma Pinot Noir ’20 has presence and persistence throughout, with prettiness at its heart.

Deep, bright purple/red colour, impressive. The bouquet is likewise arresting for its intense sweet black-cherry, spice and vanilla chocolate flavours that carry through to the palate. Blackberries as well. Full and rich, round and ample with lively acidity sparking through the entire palate. Stylish oak is evident. Excellent and worth cellaring a while. - Huon Hooke, The Real Review, 95 Points

Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Pinot Noir
Country - New Zealand
Region - Hawke's Bay
Vintage - 2020
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13.5%