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.
About this wine from the winemakers: “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 Vineyards Chardonnay were harvested between 22 February and 20 March 2023 from Te Mata Estate’s own vineyards in the Woodthorpe Terraces, Bridge Pa Triangle and Havelock Hills sub-regions of Hawke’s Bay.
“Estate Chardonnay ’24 combines the best of traditional and modern winemaking. This involved tank fermentation to preserve the vibrant varietal aromas and clear, fresh fruit expression along with some barrel fermentation, barrel maturation on gross lees, and malolactic fermentation to enhance the complexity, richness and integration.
“Estate Chardonnay ’24 shines with a white gold hue and pale honey highlights. It presents a delightful blend of peach, lemon rind, and buttered popcorn, complemented by bright and lively acidity that extends the wine’s long palate. The aroma is reminiscent of warm peach cobbler, intertwined with notes of marzipan, flint, and tarragon. Balanced by the signature racy freshness characteristic of ripe and fine Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay, making the Estate Chardonnay 2024 a standout.”
94 points, James Suckling “Very attractive, showing green apples, pears and hints of cream. Medium-bodied with a lovely core of fruit and a creamy texture. Just a hint of matchstick. Complex yet subtle. 30% barrel-fermented and about seven months aged in barrel. Real chardonnay. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
93 points, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion “A dry, hot year with cooler nights in February; mostly from the Dartmoor subregion; 50% mlf and a mix of tank and barrel ferment. Light straw with aromas of white peach, nectarine and citrus fruits over hints of clover blossom, crushed riverstone, clotted cream, grilled peach, vanilla bean and sea breeze. Fruit-pure with a lovely textural silkiness, a sapid mineral cadence and a long citrus and stone-fruit draw on the finish.”
91 points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front “Tried this last night and thought not really ready as yet, so I’m having another crack at it today. I think it was only bottled recently. This is a fresh-faced and juicy wine as at now, quite fruity, with peach and pear, a nip of grapefruit, a little spice and green herb, very slight struck match. It pulls a little finer in the mouth with bright citrus acidity, again a spray of green herb and lime zest through the gently tropical fruit, finishing with a spicy tang and solid length, a bit of flint on exit. Some green olive. Needs a bit of time to settle but it’s a lively wine of interest.”
RRP $35 Our Special DOZEN Buy $26.50 when you buy 12 or more of this wine.
