TE KANO LIFE SERIES PINOT NOIR 2020

Winery notes (2020 Vintage)
"The Life Series captures the essence of Te Kano’s Estate vineyards, using parcels of fruit from across our subregions to give a snapshot of the season and our unique expression of Central Otago.

A combination of our Central Otago subregions. Northburn shows fine boned acidity, pure fresh fruit flavours and a crystalline minerality derived from Schist based soils, while Bannockburn gives riper black fruit notes, structured tannins and mid palate weight.

A supple and complex Pinot Noir with aromas of mocha and bright berry fruits. Generous ripe plum, red berry and cherry flavours, combined with dark savoury notes of dried herb and spice, create a wine that is both expressive and elegant."

5 Stars & 96/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, April 2025 (2020 Vintage)
"This is gorgeously expressed on the nose, showing dark plum, thyme, game, warm mushroom, and roasted nut aromas. The palate displays excellent weight and refined mouthfeel, superbly complemented by velvety texture and beautifully melded tannins. Harmonious and seamless with a sustained, satisfying finish. At its best: now to 2032."

5 Stars & 19-/20 (95) Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Reviews, July 2022 (2020 Vintage)
"Ruby-red with depth, good transparency, and lighter on the rim. The nose is alluringly perfumed, led with aromas of lavender melded with cherries, black raspberries and cherry plums, cinnamon bark, mint, mushroom and forest floor. Medium-full bodied, concentrated on the palate, cherries and black raspberries interweave violet, lavender and cinnamon bark fragrances, unfolding savoury, mushroom, black pepper and forest floor. The wine is earthy and fragrant with well-proportioned, balanced, ripe fruit; savoury complexity and fragranced whole-bunch elements added interest. Fine-grained, velvety tannin and a fine grip carry texture and weight. This savoury Pinot Noir possesses enticing fruit and fragrance with elegance, concentration, power, and a long, sustained finish. Match this with herb-crusted lamb and venison ragu over the 7+ years. Fruit from Bannockburn and Northburn vineyards, handpicked, destemmed, fermented in open top fermenters to 14% alc, 10-28 days on skins. Parcels were fermented separately with varying percentages of whole bunches. Aged in French oak barrels for 11 months, 24% new oak."

Rated Excellent & 94/100 Cameron Douglas MS, April 2025 (2020 Vintage)
"Red and ruby hues lead to a bouquet of complexity and layered bottle developments. Scents of fresh cherry and savoury hillside wild spice, raspberry – fresh and dried, plum and smoky barrel spice. Dry, taut, youthful, tasty and textured with flavours wild red berries and thyme, a lick of bacon oak and baking spices, wood smoke and earth. An abundance of fine to moderate tannins, medium+ acid line and lengthy finish. Best from 2025 through 2033+."

5 Stars The Wine Writer (2020 Vintage)
"Wild strawberry, black cherry and lavender laced with nutmeg and dried herbs. Light in body but no lightweight — the palate delivers a vivid hit of black fruit wrapped in fine-grained, chalky tannins. There’s a smoky, savoury thread and a gentle woody texture through the finish, with toasty spice and bright freshness adding lift. Textured, layered, and quietly complex — a Pinot that keeps unfolding in the glass. Enjoy now through to 2030."