Te Mata Estate Coleraine Cabernet Merlot, Hawkes Bay

Te Mata Estate holds a unique position in New Zealand’s viticultural history. Established in 1896, the estate remains family-owned and focused on its heritage sites in the Havelock Hills of Hawke’s Bay. Coleraine is their flagship label. It is a classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc sourced from north-facing slopes. These vineyards benefit from a maritime climate and free-draining gravelly soils, which provide the ideal conditions for ripening Bordeaux varieties.

The fruit is hand-harvested and fermented in separate batches to maintain site identity. Following fermentation, the wine matures for 18 to 20 months in French oak barrels. A significant proportion of this oak is new, which helps to integrate the firm tannins and provide structural longevity.

On the nose, the wine presents aromas of cassis, dark plum, and dried thyme. The palate is medium-bodied and linear. It shows flavours of blackberry and graphite supported by a fine acid backbone. This is a wine built for the cellar, known for its ability to evolve over several decades. It remains a definitive choice for those seeking New Zealand's answer to the great wines of the Médoc.