The 2011 Te Rehua Pinot Noir is another town-based, single vineyard wine made from a mix of all clones available in New Zealand in the early 1990s when it was planted. It is pale to medium-deep ruby in color and is a little closed though it reveals earthy, delicate red fruits along with some lavender nuances. On the rather delicate, medium-bodied palate, there is just enough fruit poking through a frame of low-level, grainy tannins to carry it through a long finish. Drink it 2014 to 2019+. Larry McKenna is a man of vision and hard graft, and these attributes show in his very impressive wines. Originally from Australia, he left Roseworthy College in South Australia in 1976 and never looked back. Pinot must have got under his skin when he hit New Zealand, where spent he spent 13 years building the quality and reputation of Martinborough Vineyard’s Pinot before striking out for the then-undeveloped “Upper Terraces” off Te Muna Road in 1999, where he established a vineyard and also developed his own ground-breaking style from unique vineyards on the town’s escarpment. The Kupe Vineyard in particular has incredible promise and potential, densely planted to Able Clone (NZ’s “gum boot” clone, which is thought to have originated from DRC) on the Te Muna site. McKenna also makes some very good single vineyard expressions from vineyards on the terrace in the town, naming the wines after the vineyards: Kiwa, Pahi and Te Rehua. Importer: Empson USA Inc., Alexandria, VA; tel. (703) 684-0900; Fax (703) 684-2065