LUNA ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2020

Luna Estate emerged from the change of ownership of Alana Estate and Murdoch James in Martinborough with the first vintage under the new name released late 2017. The new owner has a focus on Pinot Noir and realizes that they need to have a very competitive offering to make their mark in the market place. $20.00 Martinborough Pinot Noir is a rarity and this new release offers plenty of juicy plummy, cherry flavour with a nice Martinborough savoury flavour twist. We think they have hit the spot and then some…

Winery notes (2020 Vintage)
"The first sniff is greeted with plenty of Pinot personality and a heap of classic Martinborough Character! We love it when a Pinot smells of fruit, earth, mineral and savoury elements altogether, something we tend to achieve more often than not around these parts! Excellent silky, soft flow to the mouthfeel with plenty of fruity weight and texture, like the smell, the taste has fruit and spice and earth in equal measure. Nice finish, tasting savoury and earthy just like a good Martinborough Pinot should. This wine is delicious now but will no doubt gain greater level of delicious with a couple of years bottle age. Will drink nicely for many years to come.

As always, crafted using 100% Estate grown Pinot Noir harvested from both of our vineyards. Majority harvested from the younger vines growing on the clay/limestone hillside of the Blue Rock Vineyard."

Rated Excellent, 5 Stars & 93/100 NZ Wine Rater, September 2021 (2020 Vintage)
"A gorgeous perfume with great intensity. The nose shows attractive berry characters, roses, violets, strawberry lollies, with red liquorice, dark chocolate, and meaty elements. A dense, ripe, fleshy Pinot with genuine concentration, richness on the mid-palate and dense, sinewy, dusty tannins that linger. Enjoyable wine with weight and balance."

5 Stars & 93/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, August 2021 (2020 Vintage)
"Beautifully ripe and perfumed, showing Black Doris plum, raspberry, mixed spice and floral aromas, it's juicy and flavoursome on the palate delivering excellent fruit intensity backed by fine texture and polished tannins. Upfront and highly appealing. At its best: now to 2026."

4 ½ Stars Michael Cooper (2020 Vintage) 
"Offering excellent value, the 2020 vintage was estate-grown at two sites (mostly young vines in the Blue Rock Vineyard), and oak-aged for 10 months. Bright ruby, it is mouthfilling and vibrantly fruity, with good density of berryish, plummy, spicy flavours, savoury notes adding complexity, and ripe, supple tannins. Well worth cellaring, it should break into full stride 2023+."

Rated Excellent & 93/100 Cameron Douglas MS, August 2021 (2020 Vintage)
"Hallmarks of the Wairarapa and Martinborough with a bouquet of silty mineral laden soils, dark berries and old strawberry compote. There’s also scents of moderate toasty barrel with vanilla and clove moments then a dark rose highlight. On the palate – youthful with a core of fruit and contrasting tannins, moderately firm textures and fine acid line with a fine silty soils and quietly savoury complexity. Well made, youthful and needing some cellar time. Great with food right now or best from late 2022 through 2028."