Perfumed Refined Goodness!
A single vineyard wine, Coleraine is an blend of the finest wines produced from distinct plots within Te Mata Estate’s oldest Havelock Hills vineyards, first planted in 1892. Always a cabernet sauvignon dominant wine, often with merlot and cabernet franc, Coleraine is refined and classical, demonstrating the immense potential for Bordeaux blends in Hawke’s Bay. In fact, it looks mroe Bordelais than most Aussie Cabernet.
Very powerful in its youth, this wine transforms over time to deliver a wine with elegance and precision contained within a plush core of fruit and a fine, dry, tannin structure. With a pedigree of over 30 years production, Coleraine it is a modern icon an must-have for any cabernet-lover’s collection.
About Te Mata
Nestled among the slopes of Hawkes Bay, Te Mata Estate is one of New Zealand’s oldest and most iconic wineries. Over the course of its 125-year history, it has earned a reputation for elegant, bordeaux-inspired wines, with some wine commentators describing it as New Zealand’s first growth.
The Te Mata wines also hold a special place here Wine Decoded HQ, as Te Mata’s former chief winemaker – Peter Cowley – was the first winemaker we interviewed. We talked Hawkes Bay, possums, Art Decco and vino of course, taking a look at eight of his wines. You can relive the magic of our inaugural winemaker session here. Phil Brodie has since taken over the role of chief winemaker after 28 years working with Peter, and continues to produce exceptional wines with charm and personality.
The name Coleraine which is today synonymous with outstanding wine year upon year, hails from the township in northern Ireland of the same name, where the late grandfather of Te Mata’s John Buck was born. It was John and his wife Wendy’s wish that this name be maintained through the family home and build a legacy through their wine.
A single vineyard wine until 1989, Coleraine is an assemblage of the finest wines produced from distinct plots within Te Mata Estate’s oldest Havelock Hills vineyards first planted in 1892.
Always a cabernet sauvignon dominant wine, often with merlot and cabernet franc, Coleraine is refined and classical. Very powerful in its youth, Coleraine develops over a substantial time frame and is renowned for its fragrance of ‘old roses’, with elegance and precision contained within a fine, dry, tannin structure.
With a pedigree of over 30 years production, Coleraine collectors loved learning that a thirty-two vintage vertical recently sold for $19,000. At almost $600 a bottle, this is the highest auction price achieved for any collection of New Zealand wine.
The Vineyard
The Havelock Hills Vineyards are renowned for producing wines with great balance, power and elegance. The Awatea, Elston and Coleraine Vineyards (including the Buck family home) are all here, as is our winery, with some grapes travelling only a hundred metres from vine to bottle.
Under vine for over 120 years, and including some of the oldest grape growing sites in New Zealand, the Havelock Hills are protected for their distinct character, special ambience and unique viticultural heritage.
The Winemaking
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.
Where in the World is TeMata?
TeMata is in Hawke’s Bay on the East Coast of the bottom half of the North Island. Submit the form for your chance to buy the only 1!
2020 Coleraine Magnum
About the Wines
2020 Te Mata Coleraine
Unbelievably good. Young, but the potential is overwhelmingly potent. Floral, nutty, intense small-berried fruit, cedar, anise and sweet herb. Tight, medium-bodied, so concentrated, but light too, ultra-mineral, fresh, all the gravel and tense cabernet feel, but with perfume unlocked: so flagrant and fragrant. The length is superb. I’m taken aback by the beauty and essence-like nature of this wine. My precious. Easily one of the best wines I’ve tasted in the last decade.
This is solidly built yet fine and flawless with cassis, scented floral, olive, cake spice and stylish oak aromas on the nose. The powerfully concentrated palate offers dazzling clarity of fruit purity as well as astonishing complexity, brilliantly structured by perfectly pitched chalky tannins. Beautifully layered with formidable depth and seductive texture, making this rendition of Coleraine undeniably spellbinding. At its best: 2030 to 2050
It is a hard act to follow the outrageously good 1998, but this wine stands tall and proud showing all the hallmarks of a great Bordeaux. The bouquet shows lovely perfume and complexity – red/black fruit, savoury meat and spice with a touch of floral. It is juicy, youthful and bright on the palate showing silky texture and delicate tannins. Lovely poise and style. At its best: 2015 to 2022. 52% cabernet sauvignon, 29% merlot, 19% cabernet franc. 13% ABV.
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