Te Kano Life Pinot Noir 2021

Te Kano Life Pinot Noir brings a polished Central Otago mix of ripe plum, red and dark cherry, bright berry fruit, dried herbs, spice and a subtle mocha note. The 2021 has plenty of fruit, but its savoury edge and fresh acidity keep everything composed, with fine tannins giving the palate shape rather than heft. Te Kano is a family-owned Central Otago estate with a strong focus on caring for and regenerating its vineyard land. This is an elegant, flavour-packed Pinot Noir that works beautifully with roast duck, lamb or a relaxed dinner where the wine deserves a little attention of its own.

What the winery says:

The 2021 is a dry Central Otago Pinot Noir at 14% alcohol. Fruit was hand harvested and destemmed into open-top fermenters, with varying proportions of whole bunch included during fermentation. The wine was then matured for 11 months in French oak barrels, with around 24% new oak. Te Kano describes a supple, complex style combining ripe plum, red berry and cherry with mocha, dried herb and spice characters.

What the experts say:

Cameron Douglas MS, 94 Points, Excellent (2021)
“Complex, youthful and taut wine with a fragrant core of wild flowers and savoury Otago hillside spices.”

Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Wine Reviews, 94 Points (2021)
“The flavours are layered and lifted by lacy acidity; silky tannins accompany spices and broody nuances to a long, harmonious finish.”

Sammy Wilkinson, The Wine Writer, 5 Stars, 93 Points (2021)
“Graceful and gently perfumed, with wild strawberry, cherry and delicate florals leading the nose.”