Te Mata Estate Alma Pinot Noir 2020

The winery writes "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."

Sam Kim writes "96pts. 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."

Bob Campbell MW writes "95 pts. 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."

Huon Hooke writes "95 pts. 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 sparkling through the entire palate. Stylish oak is evident. Excellent and worth cellaring a while."

Michael Cooper writes "This deep-ruby, scented, softly mouthfilling red is notably savoury, with rich, ripe, complex cherry, plum and spice flavours, well-rounded and lingering. In a “blind” tasting, I would pick Martinborough as the region of origin."