Te Mata Estate Vineyards Gamay Noir 2018

Professional Ratings

• 92 Wine Enthusiast

  If this historic estate’s Gamay is anything to go by, New Zealand should be planting more of the stuff. A vibrant crimson color, it’s a perky medley of cherries, blueberries and strawberries woven with licorice, baking spice and florals, with earthy, mineral base notes. In the mouth the crisp acidity gives a crunch to all that fruit. The silky texture is held together with gentle yet structured and spicy tannins. Light bodied and harmonious, with the oak tucked neatly away, this is an ultradrinkable, chillable red wine to be cracked open young. 

• 90 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  A blend of fruit from the Woodthorpe Vineyard and Dartmoor Valley, the 2018 Estate Vineyards Gamay Noir shows a return to form for this producer's Gamay. Made with 50% whole clusters and aged only three months in older oak, it's bursting with ripe raspberries and cherries. There's a slightly sappy, savory element from the stems in this medium-bodied charmer, which finishes juicy and fresh. Fun, quaffable and pleasure-giving, it should be enjoyed over the next couple of years.