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.
Sourced exclusively from Te Mata Estates own vineyards, the Estate Vineyards wines represent the best qualities of their variety, vintage and Hawkes Bay origin.
The grapes for Estate Merlot/Cabernet ’21 were harvested between 9 March and 29 March 2021 from Te Mata Estate’s own vineyards in the Havelock Hills, Bridge Pa Triangle, Gimblett Gravels and Dartmoor sub-regions of Hawke’s Bay.
The individual parcels of each variety from each plot were de-stemmed before a traditional warm fermentation, followed by extended maceration on skins. The resulting wines were pressed, returned to tank for malolactic fermentation, then run off to a mixture of new and seasoned French oak barrels for 12 months’ maturation before blending. The wines were regularly topped and racked throughout maturation, blended and traditionally egg-white fined before bottling. The final blend is 49% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Cabernet Franc.
Dark crimson with a bright purple hue, Estate Merlot/Cabernet ’21 has a complex and evocative scent of plum and blackberry, with the lightest fragrance of cedar. Seamlessly integrated, the aromas deepen on the wine’s palate into succulent, concentrated dark fruit with ripe, soft tannins. Structural, savoury and long, with a salivating acid/tannin balance, Estate Merlot/Cabernet ’21 runs a long, perfect line between approachability.
94+ points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front “... From my point of view, I see this entry level wine as a hybrid of the structure and thrumming power of 2019, and the rich and fleshy flavour of 2020. The shape of things to come. Pencils, black fruit, black olive, violet, spice. Medium-bodied, ripe tannin, rich, zesty, green and black olive, blue and red fruit. aniseed, crushed berries, such a good wine, so lively and packed with dark berry fruit and saline flavour. Firm grip of tannin on a very long finish. All the things. Impeccable. Hard to imagine a better value, and more serious Bordeaux blend at this price point. Incredible.”
92 points, Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review “Te Mata has raised the bar high with its flagship Coleraine, New Zealand’s most iconic wine. I believe that this wine offers outstanding value. Moderately intense wine with cassis, plum, blackberry, new leather and nutty oak flavours. Impressive wine for an entry-level red that obviously received a boost from a favourable vintage.”
95 points, Sam Kim, Wine Orbit NZ “This is instantly seductive on the nose showing blackcurrant, floral, subtle tobacco and toasted almond characters. The palate has excellent weight and fruit intensity, superbly complemented by spice nuances and finely flowing mouthfeel. Beautifully integrated chalky tannins provide classic structure and length, offering gorgeous drinking.”
RRP $35 Our Special Dozen Price $23.99 when you buy 12 or more of this wine
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.