Te Mata Estate Alma Pinot Noir

It’s been 25 years since Te Mata released a wine under their ‘Showcase’ series. This is the range that includes the absolutely tip top, world class Bordeaux red (Coleraine), Syrah (Bullnose), Chardonnay (Elston) and others. It’s taken years of perfecting before they felt the time was right to release their first ever showcase Pinot Noir.

Central Otago, Marlborough and Martinborough might take the headlines when it comes to Kiwi Pinot but Te Mata are keen to change all that with their release of Te Mata Estate Alma Pinot Noir, this 2021 vintage being only the fourth ever release. You might call it Hawke’s Bay’s finest Pinot, we sure would.

And just like the previous releases this has a swag of A-grade reviews…

5 Stars (Michael Cooper)
“Since its debut from the 2018 vintage, Alma has emerged as the Hawke’s Bay region’s finest Pinot Noir. Estate-grown inland, at the Woodthorpe Terraces Vineyard in the Dartmoor Valley, the 2021 vintage (5*) was matured for 10 months in French oak barriques, new and seasoned. Deep, bright ruby, it is fragrant and full-bodied, with concentrated cherry, plum and spice flavours, complex and savoury, supple tannins and a rich, lingering finish. Still very youthful, it’s well worth cellaring to 2025+.”

5 Stars, 96/100 (Sam Kim)
“Exquisite and elegant, yet with power and opulence, this should evolve magnificently. At its best: 2024 to 2036.”

96/100 (Huon Hooke, The Real Review)
“Brilliant and deep purple colour; remarkable for pinot noir, then an explosive bouquet of black cherry and dark plum, loaded with spices too numerous to list”

94/100 (Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review)
“Silken, seamless pinot noir with bright cherry, plum, mixed spice, violet and a suggestion of mineral/oyster shell.”

When word came out that Te Mata were going to add a premium Pinot to their already damn impressive line-up they got some pretty big interest from retailers around the world. In fact, one UK retailer wasn’t joking when they said they wanted to take the entire lot! Oi, hands off.

Named Alma after the Battle of Alma and Dr James Thomson, a fore father to the Buck family and owners of Te Mata Estate. He saved over four hundred lives and sacrificed his own in the process. The medal on the label of Alma Pinot is the medal he was awarded and a proud piece of family history for the Bucks.