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.
"Gorgeously seductive and perfumed, the bouquet shows red cherry, floral, thyme and warm spice aromas with a hint of mushroom complexity. The palate offers impressive substance and seamless flow, beautifully complemented by fleshy texture and fine polished tannins. Superbly harmonious and multi-layered with a prolonged velvety finish. At its best now to 2034."
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.
"Bright, delicately aromatic pinot noir with cassis, dark plum, violet, wood smoke and quite prominent spicy oak. The wine has an appealing purity and seamlessness. It delivers power with consummate subtlety. Accessible now but promises to age gracefully."