2023 Te Mata Awatea Cabernet Merlot
Grape
52% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc
Its Origins
Originally a farm with homestead established in 1854 by John Chambers, it was his son Bernard who, on return from travels in France, planted vineyards on its north facing hills - which are still in use. In 1919 the Chambers sold and the Te Mata Vineyards company was established, to continue until 1975 when two associates, John Buck and Michael Morris, ended their 8 year search for a winery location by purchasing on the historic Te Mata estate. By remaining firmly rooted in a kind of modern traditional approach - quality focussed wines made with long-term expertise and from estate-only vineyards - Te Mata Estate have risen and risen as New Zealand’s benchmark for cellaring quality. Depending on variety, both their middle and top end wines are consistently capable not only of balance and appeal on release, but of aging for multiple decades.
What The Critics Say
96/100 RobertParker.com, Erin Larkin
"Aromatically, this wine is thrilling: dusty cassis, bramble, raspberry pip, blood/iodine, sweet tobacco, raw cocoa, violet perfume, tarragon and fennel and a hint of hazelnut/nutmeg. In the mouth, the wine is savory, structural, spicy and chewy, with a ductile splay of tannin that moves across the palate and through the finish. The palate speaks of structure and shape, while the fruit is mostly on the nose at this early stage. This will evolve beautifully in bottle over time, and as the bottle I am tasting here today was bottled four weeks ago, no doubt your bottle will look more polished and sleek. As it is, I love it, but I am sure I will like it more in time. It is a magnificent wine and a tremendous value. The Awatea fruit is technically grown as if it will be Coleraine, only once it's picked is the assessment made. The fruit was handpicked, and the wine matured in French oak (30% new) for 15 months." Drink 2024 - 2043
95/100 Wine Orbit, Sam Kim
"Wonderfully composed and expressed ... harmonious and expressive.. a magnificent Bordeaux-style red that’s beautifully crafted and splendidly structured, making it hugely appealing."
94/100 Gary Walsh, Winefront
"Plum, raspberry, boysenberry … nutty and pencilly, with some floral notes, aniseed and spice ... tobacco, a bit of grainy chew to the tannin, the line of acidity is so lovely and crisp – rain-washed and fresh – offering a distinct ‘mineral’ character. Length is excellent. It has perfume and presence… lovely wine to drink"
| Variety | Cabernet Merlot Blend |
|---|---|
| Region | Hawkes Bay |
| Closure | Cork |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Alcohol | 13.50% |
| Maturity | 2024 - 2043 |
This Wine Goes Well With
Taste
We deliver throughout New Zealand and to some locations overseas. Our deliveries are made by trusted third party carriers. For further details on prices and delivery options please go to DELIVERY INFORMATION section of our site.
If for any reason you are not entirely happy with your order or you suspect that they may be affected by a quality issue, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will remedy the problem straight away. Contact us on 0800 422 767.
