Image of Te Mata 'Coleraine' Cabernet / Merlot from Te Mata Estate

Te Mata 'Coleraine' Cabernet / Merlot

Vintage: 2021

$115.99

Te Mata Estate, one of New Zealand's oldest wineries, is renowned for its premium wines, particularly the 'Coleraine' blend. This wine is a sophisticated blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, showcasing the best of Hawke's Bay, a region celebrated for its Bordeaux-style wines. The winemaking process involves meticulous hand-harvesting and sorting, followed by fermentation in traditional open-top tanks. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels, which imparts a subtle complexity and depth. On the palate, it offers a rich tapestry of dark fruits, such as blackcurrant and plum, complemented by fine tannins and a balanced acidity. The finish is long and elegant, making it an excellent pairing with roasted meats, hearty stews, or aged cheeses.

Professional Scores

98

The 2021 Coleraine is the third in a trio of great vintages and comprises a blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. The bouquet is all bramble and spice, with fresh grated nutmeg, a hint of star anise, raw cocoa, raspberry seed, cassis, new leather and iodine. There is also a crushed oyster shell aspect here that I find most appealing. On the palate, the tannins make their presence felt in a register of tactile chewiness and encourage movement and thought. Ultimately, while I find this vintage to be stylistically aligned with 2020, it is very different in its final impact. It feels to me as if 2021 harnesses the structure and intrigue of 2019 with the creamy lushness of 2020 and puts them together in a burst of balance. This wine is like a star coming into existence—there's a bang, a burst of light and a settling period—and it's astoundingly good. 14% alcohol, sealed under natural cork.

The Wine Advocate

96

Wine-Searcher collates scores from a wide range of critics, from influential single palates like Robert Parker and Jancis Robinson to publications like Wine Spectator, all adjusted for the 100-point scale.

Wine-Searcher Aggregate Score

98

The 2021 Coleraine is the third in a trio of great vintages and comprises a blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. The bouquet is all bramble and spice, with fresh grated nutmeg, a hint of star anise, raw cocoa, raspberry seed, cassis, new leather and iodine. There is also a crushed oyster shell aspect here that I find most appealing. On the palate, the tannins make their presence felt in a register of tactile chewiness and encourage movement and thought. Ultimately, while I find this vintage to be stylistically aligned with 2020, it is very different in its final impact. It feels to me as if 2021 harnesses the structure and intrigue of 2019 with the creamy lushness of 2020 and puts them together in a burst of balance. This wine is like a star coming into existence—there's a bang, a burst of light and a settling period—and it's astoundingly good. 14% alcohol, sealed under natural cork.

The Wine Advocate
750ml