(2022) From Hawke's Bay, not most people's first thought when it comes to Pinot Noir, and indeed Te Mata thought long and hard about releasing this wine, even though the vineyard was planted over 20 years ago. It was a good decision as this wine, and a previous vintage tasted on a visit in 2020, proves. It was de-stemmed and aged in a mix of new and seasoned French oak barriques for 11 months. Bright and deep crimson in colour, there's a really pretty floral and fragrant red fruit character aromatically, with a chestnutty background that's lightly earthy and woody. The palate is deliciously plush and velvetty, with plenty of fruit, but there is a liquorice and, again, chestnut edge of very juicy acidity and firm, fine tannins to extend the finish. Really quite lovely. Stockist is for the previous vintage at time of review.