Blue Earth Estate has forged a reputation for releasing wines when they have age and the  savoury Pinot Noir reviewed in this column is a good example; it comes from the superb 2020 vintage. That was the year of covid lockdowns, which made harvest tricky in many parts of thew world, including at the relatively small Blue Earth Estate in Te Muna Valley, Martinborough, New Zealand. Despite the challenges of social distancing while picking grapes, the 2020 vintage was excellent across New Zealand.

Here are two new releases from Blue Earth Estate; both are available in small volumes now. 

2020 Blue Earth Pinot Noir RRP $69

Blue Earth Estate is an elevated vineyard at the end of Te Muna Valley, east of Martinborough village, where strong winds are a little more pronounced and cooler nights bring bold fresh acidity to grapes that benefit from a lengthy ripening season in these conditions. This new release Pinot Noir benefits enormously from four years of ageing in the bottle, which accentuates the savoury aromas, bringing balance to this wine's bright cherry flavours and gentle spicy notes. Drinks superbly now and will age further, given time. 

2024 Blue Earth Pinot Gris RRP $45

Aromatic Pinot Gris is a real treat when it's as dry and fresh as this vibrant, young white from Blue Earth Estate in Te Muna Valley. All grapes were hand picked and the wine was fermented to less than 1 gram of residual sugar, which makes it absolutely bone dry in taste and style. Flavours of white pears, fresh crisp red apples and a little citrus all run through each sip. Drinks well now and can hold for a further three to four years, evolving in that time but it's made to enjoy now, so why wait?

Blue Earth Estate is owned by Mike and Margaret Hansen. All grapes are hand picked. 

blueearthestate.co.nz