Te Mata Coleraine Cabernet Merlot 2021

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.

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. Originally a single vineyard wine, from 1989 Coleraine has been an assemblage of the finest wines produced from distinct plots within Te Mata Estate’s oldest vineyards on the Havelock Hills.

Coleraine '21 is apex cabernet, a singular wine that could only result from a remarkable vintage. Combining an unequalled harvest, cutting-edge winemaking technology, and 127 years of fine wine pedigree, Coleraine '21 stands alone - a wine of unique provenance even by Te Mata Estate's exacting standards. 2021 was an unmatched growing season; the earliest ever bud break on Te Mata Estate's vineyards led to the earliest ever harvest. This warm, dry, and historic vintage yielded an abundance of very small berries providing great concentration, and producing wines of exceptional purity, power, tension and persistence.

The deep crimson colour of Coleraine '21, edged in royal purple, is the first clue to this wine's exceptional character. Pure Hawke's Bay cabernet aromatics leap from the glass - wild blackberry, blackcurrant, thyme, and cedar, all interwoven with that signature Coleraine perfume of fresh roses. The palate precisely balances richness with vibrant energy; modern and varietally expressive, with cassis, raspberry, mocha, spice, and a distinctive minerality that is uniquely 2021. The fruit ripeness is so succulent, it cloaks those profound, chiselled tannins that carry the palate on endlessly. With perfume, power, finesse and length this is an absolute original. Coleraine '21 is "The One".

Coleraine '21 was hand harvested from separate plots within Te Mata's vineyards between 9 and 29 March 2021. 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 December 2021 and the finished wine was bottled in December 2022. The final blend is 56% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot and 12% cabernet franc.

Very deep bright purple colour; the bouquet shows similar mulberry, blackcurrant and raspberry fruit aromas as the Awatea but the wine is more concentrated all-round and shows a little more oak (65% new). There are violet notes and a sprinkle of spices including nutmeg too. The tannins are more persuasive and mouth-coating also, and the length is prodigious. A smashing cabernet blend, and a top vintage for this wine. - Huon Hooke, The Real Review, January 2023, 97 Points

Dark and intense, lots of perfume, red and black fruits, tobacco, a leafy pop that’s pure varietal class, creamy oak, lead pencils, aniseed and spice. Medium to full-bodied, a flood of flavour, super ‘mineral’ feel to the acidity, tannin is superb, and the finish is so long. Light but so dense. There’s a fresh raspberry juiciness here too, and an extra dimension of tension and energy. All the graphite and presence. Incredible wine. - Garry Walsh, The Wine Front, November 2022, 97+ Points

Redcurrant and creme de cassis aromas. Roses. So aromatic. Stones. Oyster and mussel shell. Ink pot. Lead pencil shavings. Full-bodied but very tight and focused. Linear and long with fine, powdery and chewy tannins. Crushed velvet texture. 56% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot, and 12% cabernet franc. More franc than normal in the blend. Terrific length. Try after 2028. - James Suckling. - James Suckling, February 2023, 98 Points

The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc
Country - New Zealand
Region - Hawke's Bay
Vintage - 2021
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14%