Description

Established in 1896, Te Mata Estate remains family owned, producing internationally recognized wines exclusively from its Hawke’s Bay vineyards. The Estate’s ownership varied frequently until John and Wendy Buck acquired it in 1978. John and Wendy instigated a twenty-year development program, which commenced with the restoration of the original winery building and the replanting of all of the original vineyards, as well as the acquisition of new vineyard sites.

The range of temperature and soil types, allied with the rainfall band between 650-850mm, create conditions to produce high quality wines of a classic range akin to those of coastal, central and northern France. Te Mata wines are similar in weight and balance but with unique lifted floral and fruit aromas.

Te Mata winery has been ranked ‘Top Winery in New Zealand’ evidenced by the consistent quality of the Coleraine and Awatea Cabernet Merlot wines, the Bull Nose Syrah and the Elston Chardonnay.

In 1995, Te Mata Estate introduced to New Zealand a superior selection of Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc, the grape variety of the best wines of France’s Beaujolais region. Estate Vineyards Gamay Noir ’20 is a single vineyard wine from Te Mata Estate’s Woodthorpe Terraces vineyard.

The unique ‘maceration carbonique’ fermentation, which enhances the fruit and floral aromas of the wine, was used for 47% of the grapes. The other 53% received a traditional, warm, red wine fermentation. The resulting wines completed their malolactic fermentation and were matured for seven weeks in seasoned French oak barrels, before blending and bottling.

Candy-apple red and edged in royal purple, Estate Gamay Noir ’21 is bursting with raspberry, Turkish delight, blueberry, wild strawberry, and ripe, black cherry. Its superfloral, red-fruit presence is balanced by subtle notes of smoke, liquorice, sandalwood, and cinnamon. A gorgeous line of bright acidity runs the length of the wine, giving incredible freshness and persistence. A supreme example, Estate Gamay Noir ’21 captivates and refreshes at the same time. Silky, stylish, and simply stunning.

Review of 2020:

‘If you haven’t tried a glass of this bright, juicy red from Te Mata Estate, you really don’t know what your missing. It’s like a fleshier and more frivolous version of pinot noir with plenty of dark cherry fruits and gentle tannins, and its tailor-made for casual drinking as the summer months unfold. How this delightful wine style hasn’t become the next big thing in New Zealand wine production is anyone’s guess – especially when Te Mata have been producing this light-bodied wine for nearly two decades. I am amazed that Te Mata’s success has not been widely copied by other producers. It’s the consummate ‘pleasure wine’, where structure and power are of no concern and everything revolves around deliciousness and vibrant easy drinking. This wine can be served at room temperature, but put a bottle or two in the fridge for twenty minutes before serving it on a balmy Hawke’s Bay night, and watch your friends’ faces as the penny drops.’ Mac McPherson, Hawkes Bay Today.

94 Points Nick Bullied MW Gourmet Traveller Wine: ” An attractive wine with vibrant fruit characters. Intense, fleshy-fruit aromas in the strawberry and red cherry spectrum. The palate has energy, depth and tension. The red and black cherry flavours are rich and primary, while the tannins, although balanced, take the wine into sterner territory.”

RRP $32 Our Price $25.50 – LAST OF THIS VINTAGE

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