Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
75cl * Sustainable * 14% * Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
Te Mata is not only New Zealand's oldest winery, but also its 'greatest', as declared by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. Dating back to 1896, it is now 3rd generation family-run. This estate is known for producing wines from grapes sourced from its own vineyards in Hawke’s Bay, to the north-east of New Zealand's North Island, which benefits from a unique maritime climate, much like Bordeaux.
Their Coleraine blend shows excellent concentration and complexity, with silky tannins plush dark fruit on the palate, leading into a long finish with both spice and minerality. Drinking perfectly well now, and will continue developing nicely through to 2040. Pair with grouse and roast veal.
98 pts, Bob Campbell MW: 'A blend of cabernet sauvignon 57%, merlot 36% and cabernet franc 7%. 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 pts, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: 'If the 2019 Coleraine got you going, then the 2020 will do just the same, albeit at a different speed. Where the 2019 is evolving into a spicy, elegant, medium-bodied affair, the 2020 Coleraine is all silk, creamy finesse and power. It offers abundant fruit, the oak framing is creamy and soft and the tannins are ductile and firm, fully ensconced in the fruit—embossed into it, even. The wine is chewy with pouch tobacco, graphite, raspberry seed, saffron, raw cocoa and nori sheets. It makes me say, "Yes, yes and yes again." The choice between 2019 and 2020 is purely going to be based on your mood: 2020 will soothe, while 2019 will stoke.'
97 pts, James Suckling: 'We tasted this a couple of years ago. Aromas of ink, tar, blackberries, blueberries and lead pencil follow through to a medium- to full-bodied palate with firm and medium velvety tannins. Solid with great length and beauty. Needs time to soften but a great wine.'
97 pts, Rebecca Gib MW: 'The 2020 Coleraine is a wine that's going to give and give over the long term with its elegant shape and huge substance. Winemaker Phil Brodie explained that this was a year where Merlot acted like Cabernet Sauvignon, offering depth and richness of tannins, and he wasn’t kidding: the power within the wine and the mass of gravelly tannins coat all sides of the palate. There's intense yet slightly sweet black currant and blackberry fruit combined with cocoa and licorice. The lengthy finish is fragrantly spiced with flavors reminiscent of cinnamon, cocoa and black tea. While silken in the mouth, this conveys an overall impression of muscle and depth. Rather closed due to its youth, but it appears more impressive than the 2019 for its structure and smidgen of extra ripeness 14% in 2020 versus 13.5% in 2019). Those who prefer their classical clarets for freshness and line e.g., 2010 over 2009 Bordeaux) may prefer the 2019 over the 2020, but the class of the 2020 can't be denied. Drink 2025 - 2040.'