Te Mata Estate
Coleraine Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand
See previous note of 140 weeks ago. Notes of Cedar, cassis - red and black berries. An elegant very Left Bank Bordeaux style - fine dry tannins. New Zealand’s finest Cabernet blend I believe, from Hawkes Bay.
See previous note of 140 weeks ago. Notes of Cedar, cassis - red and black berries. An elegant very Left Bank Bordeaux style - fine dry tannins. New Zealand’s finest Cabernet blend I believe, from Hawkes Bay.
Jun 11th, 2023At the Downs Club Magnum dinner on Wednesday night. This was the mystery wine. Probably New Zealand’s most iconic wine according to Bob Campbell MW. A lovely nose of cassis, dark fruits and spice. M plus intensity of aroma. Elegant rather than a blockbuster - great balance with controlled power. Tempted to buy some and cellar it for 10 years plus. 98 points from Bob Campbell MW.
At the Downs Club Magnum dinner on Wednesday night. This was the mystery wine. Probably New Zealand’s most iconic wine according to Bob Campbell MW. A lovely nose of cassis, dark fruits and spice. M plus intensity of aroma. Elegant rather than a blockbuster - great balance with controlled power. Tempted to buy some and cellar it for 10 years plus. 98 points from Bob Campbell MW.
Dec 8th, 2021On Saturday I conducted a Cabernet tasting at home with 8 mates. The theme was 2009 vintage Bordeaux v Margaret River with this outlier from NZ included. This had leafy minty notes with a touch of coffee. A medium weight palate with a certain hardness which was a negative. Still a good future. Ended up being out classed in the company to follow. I will drink my remaining 6 bottles over the 5 to 10 years.
On Saturday I conducted a Cabernet tasting at home with 8 mates. The theme was 2009 vintage Bordeaux v Margaret River with this outlier from NZ included. This had leafy minty notes with a touch of coffee. A medium weight palate with a certain hardness which was a negative. Still a good future. Ended up being out classed in the company to follow. I will drink my remaining 6 bottles over the 5 to 10 years.
Sep 28th, 2020Generally regarded as New Zealand’s best expression of a left bank Bordeaux blend. This is a dense Ruby red in colour. Aromas of cedar, cassis, mint, leafy and a menthol note - generally classic left bank descriptors. Quite balanced - a medium plus weight palate - medium tannins and acid. Still a good future into the late 20’s or early 2030s. Sam Kim, who is a NZ wine taster and commentator described this wine on release as the greatest wine ever released in New Zealand which was a big call at the time. Bob Campbell MW said “Coleraine doesn’t get much better than this. “
Generally regarded as New Zealand’s best expression of a left bank Bordeaux blend. This is a dense Ruby red in colour. Aromas of cedar, cassis, mint, leafy and a menthol note - generally classic left bank descriptors. Quite balanced - a medium plus weight palate - medium tannins and acid. Still a good future into the late 20’s or early 2030s. Sam Kim, who is a NZ wine taster and commentator described this wine on release as the greatest wine ever released in New Zealand which was a big call at the time. Bob Campbell MW said “Coleraine doesn’t get much better than this. “
Sep 6th, 2020Gary Walsh gave this 97, so 3 of us went thirds on a single bottle ($100) to take our drinking into new territory. Drank over 3 hours. Continually evolved with ridiculous complexity and length. No more than medium bodied with a spectrum of black, violet, red fruits. Herbal and spice tones, each of us picked up something different. Beautifully fresh fruited, tannin hardly there yet clearly there. I can’t quite do 97 as I’m a little skewed to something a bit bigger, so 96+ for me.
Gary Walsh gave this 97, so 3 of us went thirds on a single bottle ($100) to take our drinking into new territory. Drank over 3 hours. Continually evolved with ridiculous complexity and length. No more than medium bodied with a spectrum of black, violet, red fruits. Herbal and spice tones, each of us picked up something different. Beautifully fresh fruited, tannin hardly there yet clearly there. I can’t quite do 97 as I’m a little skewed to something a bit bigger, so 96+ for me.
1 person found it helpfulApr 2nd, 2018I have to say I am amazed!
I have to say I am amazed!
1 person found it helpfulMar 19th, 2014At the United Cellars Cabernet tasting. Nice florals of violets and black currant. A lovely Bordeaux palate of cedar, black fruits with M+ intensity finishing with sandy grainy tannins. The best Bordeaux blend in NZ IMO. Needs at least 10 years cellaring.
At the United Cellars Cabernet tasting. Nice florals of violets and black currant. A lovely Bordeaux palate of cedar, black fruits with M+ intensity finishing with sandy grainy tannins. The best Bordeaux blend in NZ IMO. Needs at least 10 years cellaring.
May 30th, 2017
One of NZ's legendary wines - Perfectly crafted #nzwine
One of NZ's legendary wines - Perfectly crafted #nzwine
Mar 3rd, 2017
Very nice Bordeaux blend, complex layered tannins, plush fruit, hints of liquorice, hints of floral/violey
Very nice Bordeaux blend, complex layered tannins, plush fruit, hints of liquorice, hints of floral/violey
Feb 26th, 2017