2015 Te Mata Estate Cabernets / Merlot Awatea

Community Tasting Notes (20) Avg Score: 91.1 points

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  4/29/2024 - Praxis wrote: 93 Points

  Dark reddish purple in color with a moderate watery rim. The nose is quite opulent and lively with rich brambly fruits with lots of cedar and forest undergrowth notes. The palate is quite rich, round, dry, moreish, with a slight watery feel, on the upper end of medium-bodied with some unresolved grippy tannins, and alcoholic heat peaking through at 14%. The flavors of fresh red and purple fruits dominate but nicely integrated with loads of cedar, vanilla cream, tobacco, wet leaves and bramble overtones which makes this quite an interesting Kiwi red blend that may pass for a high-quality young red from the Medoc or perhaps Moulis en Medoc regions. But then again, I need to remind myself that this no less than a second wine from one of New Zealand’s finest red blends, the Coleraine! A lovely treat upon opening with minimal aeration, yes, literally PNP. Very long finish. Will have to revisit tomorrow to see how this evolves. At the moment, it is very well at age 9. From the tasting tonight, I believe that this still has the stuffing to last for at least the midterm, say another 5 - 8 years with proper cellaring of course. Day 2: very aromatic, much softer and very harmonious but less rich and more watery. It’s absolutely delicious tonight with rich cedar and vanilla notes. The aromatics, savory acids and tannins are well integrated. Day 3: On its way down, still drinkable but no where near the level of what it was last night especially in terms of freshness and aromatics. 90 - 93

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  12/26/2021 - mrmikemtr wrote: 90 Points

  Alas, my last bottle . Very consistent .

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  9/25/2021 - BigJ wrote:

  4.5 years since my last bottle of this and it’s still very youthful. As good as I rembember it to be. Will hold off another few years before another. This is a wonderful wine at the price point and poised for future improvement

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  3/21/2020 - Screwcaps Likes this wine: 92 Points

  A good bottle, no corky smell, and has not budged since August. Better on this, night three. Perhaps a touch more black olive than I recall with this bottle. Looking forward to seeing some more complexity and development with my final bottle- will drink in 5 years alongside a Wynns Black 2013. They are so close in style and shape in my mind.

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  10/4/2019 - F1NUT Likes this wine: 95 Points

  I'm maintaining my view of this wine. Gorgeous, one of the best Awatea's I've had. Its only 4 years old and still a beautiful young colour but also a beautiful bouquet of violets, vanilla, black fruits and some depth from the lightly toasted oak. I still believe Te Mate learned from the two previous superb years 13, 14 and threw every good thing at this wine,
  
  I love the flavour profile, Yes it seems just right, straightforward even but it is not without some components. Lovely dark cherries and doris plums. But there is also a lovely light vanilla touch, some cedar and a light touch of tobacco, and best of all for me is some cleansing acidity. This wine also has a lovely influence of perfumed perfectly ripe grape berries on the vine and for me it seems to last into the palate. I just love this influence, for all that I also love a full-bodied cabernet. This wine strikes a happy place where depth of flavour meets enjoyment of elegance. For example, think Freesias in Spring which are somehow full on but subtle at the same time. Oh, its Spring here right now, no wonder I am enjoying this wine so much.
  
  The reason I don't give it more points (but I love it for what it is) is perhaps a little missing in the tannin structure. This wine is not made to last 30 years so it does not have the tannin of a great Bordeaux but gosh if THIS vintage had those whole bunches and stalks thrown into the ferment how great would this wine be?
  
  No this is a 10-15 year wine but already I'm loving it and it will easily last the decade its made for. If you want longer you can buy Coleraine. Or you could just keep this one and see how it goes.
  
  I'm impressed. The 2013 was superb even soon after release but maybe a little, I mean a little down on structure. 2014 might yet impress but may be a little down on fruit? This 2015 has the enjoyment factor for me. There is not much difference in these 3 marvellous vintages so thanks Te Mata for a real treat. (and I have the Coleraine as well thank you very much). Lovin' it all.

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