jamessuckling.com
92
"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."
jamessuckling.com
92
"An inviting nose of green apples, pears, lime and dragon fruit. Medium-bodied with supple texture. Elegant and refined with an array of fresh apple and citrus fruit and a succinct finish."
jamessuckling.com
92
"Pretty notes of pink peppercorns, lavender, rosemary, nutmeg and wild berries. Supple and creamy with a medium body and velvety tannins. Finely textured and very drinkable."
jamessuckling.com
93
"I like the distinct pencil lead and graphite character here, with dark plums, bramble, dried herbs and black tea. Medium-bodied with a fine tannin frame. Linear. Restrained, yet excellent varietal expression."
Wine Enthusiast
92 Points
"2020 is proving a rich vintage, with many wines poised for the long haul. Alma is a great example of this. With time in glass, it reveals a prism of aromas and flavors: baked plum, blueberry, mocha, licorice and baking spice. The palate is on the fuller end of the Pinot spectrum, with powerful but fine tannins, but with supple, juicy fruit and a polish that suggests its best is yet to come."
Wine Enthusiast
92 Points
"There're elegant aromas of cherry and blueberry fruit, violets and roses, ground black pepper, cloves and a slight meatiness in a well-tucked bed of mocha oak. Tangy red fruit on the silky palate is tightly wound by fine tannins and lifted by a crunch of acidity. A unique Pinot that bears the Te Mata stamp of place, polish, freshness and structure."
Wine Enthusiast
92
"There're elegant aromas of cherry and blueberry fruit, violets and roses, ground black pepper, cloves and a slight meatiness in a well-tucked bed of mocha oak. Tangy red fruit on the silky palate is tightly wound by fine tannins and lifted by a crunch of acidity. A unique Pinot that bears the Te Mata stamp of place, polish, freshness and structure."
Wine Enthusiast
95 Points
"This historic Hawke’s Bay estate once again delivers a delicious and exceptionally well-priced bottling. This ruby red Syrah sings with vibrant plum and berry fruit, cracked black pepper, graphite, dried florals and chocolate mint. Aromas flow seamlessly onto the palate, which threads finely structured tannins through the juicy fruit, herbs and spice, emerging out the other side to form a complete wine that is both serious and playful, food-friendly and highly drinkable."
Wine Enthusiast
95
"This historic Hawke’s Bay estate once again delivers a delicious and exceptionally well-priced bottling. This ruby red Syrah sings with vibrant plum and berry fruit, cracked black pepper, graphite, dried florals and chocolate mint. Aromas flow seamlessly onto the palate, which threads finely structured tannins through the juicy fruit, herbs and spice, emerging out the other side to form a complete wine that is both serious and playful, food-friendly and highly drinkable."
Wine Enthusiast
93 Points
“A strong vintage for Te Mata and the Hawke's Bay region in general, this release of Elston strikes a fine balance between fruit ripeness, freshness and oak. Lemon and pineapple aromas are vibrant above seashell and creamy oak nuances. The palate shows lovely slippery texture, crystalline acidity and concentrated fruit. It's supported, not dominated, by the wood. A persistent citrus finish makes it easy to take another sip.”
Wine Enthusiast
93 Points
"This vintage is as deftly crafted as the last but is more tightly wound when first opened. Give it air and only a quick chill to allow the citrus, dried tarragon, white blossoms and cream to shine. The acidity is bracing and the oak shows a bit on the palate, but overall there's beautiful length, texture and flavor depth on this well-structured wine."
Vinous
90 Points
"The 2020 Cape Crest offers nutty and flinty notes alongside nectarine, black currants, custard apple and citrus flavors. A little more than light in body, there's also a light grainy texture and a hint of sea salt on the fresh, balanced finish. A very appetizing, well-crafted style."
Vinous
91 Points
"The 2020 Elston is a round and textural Chardonnay. A delicate, seamless style. There's a light woody oak note in the background, but it allows the ripe peach fruit to shine. The ripe acid on the finish makes your mouth water, and yet this is a satisfying and mellow expression."