Te Mata Estate Coleraine Cabernet Merlot 2020

Description

“New Zealand’s First Growth. Many critics consider Coleraine up there with the best Bordeaux blends in the world.” Andy Howard MW

“New Zealand’s Grange equivalent, only Coleraine comes from one place, is much cheaper, and to my tastes, is significantly better and more interesting.” Gary Walsh

TOP 50 WINES OF THE WORLD …  “New Zealand’s Sassicaia.” James Suckling

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.

Coleraine is NZ’s most famous red wine. First produced in 1982, this classic blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc displays the concentration, complexity and elegance found in the world’s finest wines.

Coleraine derives its name from the Coleraine vineyard, home of John and Wendy Buck of Te Mata Estate. John’s late grandfather was born in Coleraine in Northern Ireland and the name has been maintained through the family home to the wine. A single vineyard wine until 1989, Coleraine is an assemblage of the finest wines produced from distinct plots within Te Mata Estate’s oldest Havelock Hills vineyards first planted in 1892.  13.5% alc.

About the 2020 from the winery .. “Coleraine ’20 was hand harvested from separate plots within Te Mata’s vineyards between 19 March and 2 April 2020. Each parcel of grapes was destemmed before a traditional warm-plunged fermentation and extended maceration on skins. The resulting wines were then run to predominately new French oak barrels for 17 months’ maturation. Throughout this time, they were regularly topped and racked. The assemblage was made in January 2021 and the finished wine was bottled in December 2021. The final blend is 57% cabernet sauvignon, 36% merlot and 7% cabernet franc.

“A gleaming, obsidian-dark Coleraine ’20 flashes in the glass. Its depths glimmer with wild roses and cedar, blackcurrants, dark cherries and plums—a rapid symmetry of perfectly ripe, dark fruit. Notes of cocoa-nib, thyme, and layer upon layer of fine tannin are polished to a mirror finish, shimmering the length of the wine. From its elevated aromatics to its monumental mid-palate weight, intense vitality, and long radiant finish, Coleraine ’20 is a window on midnight. Replete in detail. Out of darkness emerges an immense wine of clarity, concentration and focus. Coleraine 2020 is a perfect vision.”

100 points, Sam Kim, Wine Orbit “This is solidly built yet fine and flawless with cassis, scented floral, olive, cake spice and stylish oak aromas on the nose. The powerfully concentrated palate offers dazzling clarity of fruit purity as well as astonishing complexity, brilliantly structured by perfectly pitched chalky tannins. Beautifully layered with formidable depth and seductive texture, making this rendition of Coleraine undeniably spellbinding. At its best: 2030 to 2050.”

98 points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front “Unbelievably good. Young, but the potential is overwhelmingly potent. Floral, nutty, intense small-berried fruit, cedar, anise and sweet herb. Tight, medium-bodied, so concentrated, but light too, ultra-mineral, fresh, all the gravel and tense cabernet feel, but with perfume unlocked: so flagrant and fragrant. The length is superb. I’m taken aback by the beauty and essence-like nature of this wine. My precious. Easily one of the best wines I’ve tasted in the last decade.“

98 points, Bob Campbell, The Real Review “…  A deeply-tinted, almost inky wine with layers of sumptuous fruit and savoury characters, including cassis, red rose, dark chocolate, hedgerow, anise and nutty oak. A generously proportioned, youthful red that is already surprisingly accessible but promises to age gracefully.”

97 points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review “..A sensational cabernet blend, gorgeously flavoured and perfumed, profound and lingering. It has the intensity and structure to age long-term. The patient will be handsomely rewarded.”

Our Special Price $149.99   – VERY LIMITED.