92pts James Suckling
Inviting aromas of red cherries, iron, porcini and violet. Medium- to full-bodied with silky, fine tannins. Textural and supple with red fruits and herbs on the palate. Generous without being rich. Sustainable
92pts Wine Advocate
The 2021 Estate Vineyards Pinot Noir is sappy, spicy and stalky, with a very pretty core of pink and red fruit in the mouth. There is spice and grace here in equal measure. Nicely done. You get strawberry, red cherry, pink peppercorns, a hint of pomegranate and a splash of caper brine with some dried herbs. Gorgeous wine.
Winemaker Notes
Rich crimson with a luminous purple hue, Estate Pinot Noir 2021 has an evocative an aromatic presence – ethereally-dark, ripe, berry fruit accented with a deft touch of truffle, smoke and cocoa powder. Dense and lush, the palate has a soft pinot generosity to it that’s balanced against subtle spice notes, fine tannin, ripe acid, and a signature length and digestibility.
History
Te Mata Estate Winery originated as part of Te Mata Station, a large pastoral land holding established by English immigrant John Chambers in 1854. His third son, Bernard, influenced by the comments from visitors that the hills were suitable for grape growing, planted vines in 1892. Wine was made from those grapes in 1896, establishing Te Mata Estate as the first winery in New Zealand to make a century.
