Grape

Pinot Noir

Its Origins

Unbeknownst to many, Te Mata have had plantings of Pinot Noir for 20 years, during which time they have experimented with the right treatment of the variety. 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. -- Originally a farm with homestead established in 1854 by John Chambers, it was his son Bernard who, on return from travels in France, planted vineyards on its north facing hills - which are still in use. In 1919 the Chambers sold and the Te Mata Vineyards company was established, to continue until 1975 when two associates, John Buck and Michael Morris, ended their 8 year search for a winery location by purchasing on the historic Te Mata estate. By remaining firmly rooted in a kind of modern traditional approach - quality focussed wines made with long-term expertise and from estate-only vineyards - Te Mata Estate have risen and risen as New Zealand’s benchmark for cellaring quality. Depending on variety, both their middle and top end wines are consistently capable not only of balance and appeal on release, but of aging for multiple decades.

What The Critics Say

94/100 Cameron Douglas MS

"A very expressive velvet-textured bouquet showing lots of youthful power and energy as well as a core of fruit, oak and savoury complexity. Perfectly weighted on the palate, dry, savoury and fruity with a plum, cherry and spice flavour package. Whispers of dark rose and stony minerality. There’s no mistaking the impact of oak and whole bunch approach, but there’s enough weight and fruit to carry this aspect. Tannins and acidity are abundant. Overall a very nice wine, very young with an inherent complexity that should carry it well into the bottle developed phase. Best decanted for service with ideal drinking 2021 through 2026."

95/100 Bob Campbell

"Moderately deep colour with a ruby rim. Delicately scented pinot noir with a plum, dark berry, liquorice, black pepper, anise, subtle dried herb and spicy oak flavours. Classy wine - an amplified version of the Estate Pinot Noir with a fairly solid influence of stylish oak." Drink 2019–2025