Te Mata Estate
Awatea Hawke's Bay Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand
A very Bordeaux like nose initially. Lacking somewhat in mid palate fruit. Very leafy verging on the astringent which the Merlot is not ripe enough to cover. The following night a leafy asparagus note on the nose still with that leanish austere palate. Awatea is the 2nd wine of Te Mata. The number 1 wine is Coleraine which is arguably the leading Cabernet blend in New Zealand.
A very Bordeaux like nose initially. Lacking somewhat in mid palate fruit. Very leafy verging on the astringent which the Merlot is not ripe enough to cover. The following night a leafy asparagus note on the nose still with that leanish austere palate. Awatea is the 2nd wine of Te Mata. The number 1 wine is Coleraine which is arguably the leading Cabernet blend in New Zealand.
Nov 30th, 2022
2018 Vintage really like this deft use of oak currants, BlackBerry ,oats, spice very balanced - really would like to see this in 5 years
2018 Vintage really like this deft use of oak currants, BlackBerry ,oats, spice very balanced - really would like to see this in 5 years
Apr 14th, 2021violet, pencil shaving, bay leaf, red cherry, blood plum, black currant, cedar.
Medium plus acid, seemless as all hell. Medium tannins, nestled so well in the wine. Length medium plus. Banging.
violet, pencil shaving, bay leaf, red cherry, blood plum, black currant, cedar.
Medium plus acid, seemless as all hell. Medium tannins, nestled so well in the wine. Length medium plus. Banging.
Muted nose, blackberry aromas and other Cabernet notes. Medium weight - a detuned version of the premium Cuvée, Coleraine - New Zealand's best Cabernet producer IMO. A lovely Cabernet blend but I can't see the point of extended cellaring. Tasted 61 weeks later with consistent notes. Certainly no need to cellar any further.
Muted nose, blackberry aromas and other Cabernet notes. Medium weight - a detuned version of the premium Cuvée, Coleraine - New Zealand's best Cabernet producer IMO. A lovely Cabernet blend but I can't see the point of extended cellaring. Tasted 61 weeks later with consistent notes. Certainly no need to cellar any further.
Jul 18th, 2017
Interesting wine. Dark savoury fruit on nose, rather constrained. Tight gripping tannin, seemed a bit too young to drink now? Hints of green herbs bordering underripe or whole bunch press. Secondary characters of rounded almost charred oak, hints of black spice. Cellar till possibly 2018+ before attempting to drink.
Interesting wine. Dark savoury fruit on nose, rather constrained. Tight gripping tannin, seemed a bit too young to drink now? Hints of green herbs bordering underripe or whole bunch press. Secondary characters of rounded almost charred oak, hints of black spice. Cellar till possibly 2018+ before attempting to drink.
1 person found it helpfulMay 10th, 2015
On the nose, rich, ripe, candied fruits of; blackberries, blueberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, vegetal notes, black licorice, light black pepper and red fresh florals. On the palate, dry medium soft tannins. Ripe fruits of; blueberries, blackberries, black currants, black raspberries & raspberries. The core flavor of anise, wood shavings, leathery, mint, eucalyptus, green pepper, tobacco, dark roasted coffee and long beautifully rich finish with perfect acidity. Photos of their courtyard and barrel room. Big thank you to Tobias for his great hospitality, time, knowledge and great tasting.
On the nose, rich, ripe, candied fruits of; blackberries, blueberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, vegetal notes, black licorice, light black pepper and red fresh florals. On the palate, dry medium soft tannins. Ripe fruits of; blueberries, blackberries, black currants, black raspberries & raspberries. The core flavor of anise, wood shavings, leathery, mint, eucalyptus, green pepper, tobacco, dark roasted coffee and long beautifully rich finish with perfect acidity. Photos of their courtyard and barrel room. Big thank you to Tobias for his great hospitality, time, knowledge and great tasting.
Apr 22nd, 2017This is the 2nd wine of Te Mata Estate one of the best makers of Cabernet Blends in NZ. Their premium cuvee being Coleraine. Medium weight but with all the Bordeaux descriptors. In a good place at 8 years of age and no need for further cellaring. Visited the winery a week ago and was lucky to meet the Chairman- John Buck OBE.
This is the 2nd wine of Te Mata Estate one of the best makers of Cabernet Blends in NZ. Their premium cuvee being Coleraine. Medium weight but with all the Bordeaux descriptors. In a good place at 8 years of age and no need for further cellaring. Visited the winery a week ago and was lucky to meet the Chairman- John Buck OBE.
Feb 6th, 2017
Moving up to there Merlot Cab Blend. This 2013 called. Awatea from Hawke's Bay New Zealand taste like a good Pomerol from Bordeaux. Nice concentration of blueberry and black cherries. Hint of sage brush. Nice balance. Well made. CB 90
Moving up to there Merlot Cab Blend. This 2013 called. Awatea from Hawke's Bay New Zealand taste like a good Pomerol from Bordeaux. Nice concentration of blueberry and black cherries. Hint of sage brush. Nice balance. Well made. CB 90
Oct 26th, 2016
Brett city, yuk. Will avoid this blend from now on.
Brett city, yuk. Will avoid this blend from now on.
Oct 15th, 2016