Community Tasting Notes 20

• forceberry wrote: 94 points

  April 8, 2022 - Originally a single-vineyard wine from the Coleraine vineyard, this has been a blend of the best-quality fruit from all the estate vineyards since 1989. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (52%), Merlot (29%) and Cabernet Franc (19%). Macerated with the skins for an extended time, aged in predominantly new French oak barriques. 13,5% alcohol.
  
  Somewhat translucent black cherry with an evolved maroon hue and a light brick-red rim. The nose is remarkably similar to a proper old-school claret with savory aromas of herbaceous leafy character, ripe redcurrants and some cooked beet nuances, followed by lighter nuances of vegetal bell pepper, a little bit of licorice root, crunchy hints of blackcurrants and chokeberries and an evolved hint of meat stew. All in all the nose feels very promising and attractive. The wine feels ripe and dense yet not particularly sweet-toned on the palate with a moderately full body and quite intense flavors of ripe dark plums and blackcurrants, some licorice notes, a little bit of herbaceous leafy character, light sweet nuances of cooked bell pepper, a developed hint of meaty umami and a touch of savory wood spice. The overall feel is firm and textural, thanks to the high acidity and ripe medium tannins that still retain some grip on the gums. The finish is dry, somewhat evolved and quite savory with juicy flavors of fresh blackcurrants and ripe redcurrants, some meaty umami, light herbaceous notes of autumnal leaves and bell pepper, a little bit of savory oak spice, a hint of dark plummy fruit and a touch of tobacco.
  
  An excellent, harmonious and immensely tasty Bordeaux blend that is stylistically very close to a classic old-school claret, with its firm structure, herbaceous leafy notes and all that jazz. The wine certainly shows some evolution, but the overall feel isn't still particularly old and the wine shows good potential for future development - even if it is drinking mighty well right now. All in all, this is a delicious, well-made example of NZ Bordeaux blend and easily one of my favorites this evening. Drink now or within the next 10 years or so. Excellent value at 38€.

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• peter.mancell@mfg.com.au Likes this wine: 94 points

  December 26, 2021 - Glorious dark fruit, lovely mouthfeel and a very long finish!

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• forceberry wrote: flawed

  December 8, 2021 - Originally a single-vineyard wine from the Coleraine vineyard, this has been a blend of the best-quality fruit from all the estate vineyards since 1989. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (52%), Merlot (29%) and Cabernet Franc (19%). Macerated with the skins for an extended time, aged in predominantly new French oak barriques. 13,5% alcohol. Tasted blind.
  
  Moderately translucent and somewhat evolved blackish-red color with a mature brick-orange color. Dull, dry and dusty nose with some earth, a little bit of savory wood spice, light herbaceous notes of bell pepper, a hint of evolved meaty character and a touch of mildew. The wine is dull, dry and earthy on the palate with a moderately full body and silky texture. The flavors are understated, dusty and earthy with vague notes of mildew, ripe dark berries and some toasty wood spice. The overall feel is quite extracted with moderate tannic grip and rather high acidity. The finish is dry, dull and earthy with flavors of dusty attic, some ripe dark berries, a little bit of mouldy cellar, a hint of earth and a touch of blackcurrant.
  
  Mildly but perceptibly corked. Shows impressive sense of structure with some nice evolution, but the dusty and mouldy notes of TCA make the wine undrinkable - and also quite impossible to guess the wine correctly. 38€ down the drain.

  Comment

• Rustyca wrote: 93 points

  January 2, 2018 - Beautiful mature wine. Dusty green pepper nose soft on the palate with toasted almonds and anise, very lengthy finish. Bought on release from winery. Wish I had more. Has a few more years.

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• salua wrote: 93 points

  December 25, 2017 - Surprised by this wine. More body and life than the previous bottle. Lovely dusty nose, balanced fruit with light tannins on the front and along finish. Very nice wine. Has a few years in it left.

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Pro Reviews 2

Wine Definition

• Vintage 2000
• Type Red
• Producer Te Mata Estate
• Varietal Red Bordeaux Blend
• Designation Coleraine
• Vineyard n/a
• Country New Zealand
• Region North Island
• SubRegion Hawke's Bay
• Appellation Hawke's Bay
• UPC Codes 9418953107003, 9418953107164

Community Holdings

• Pending Delivery 0 (0%)
• In Cellars 233 (63%)
• Consumed 136 (37%)

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