Te Mata Coleraine 2022

Region and Vineyards

Hawke's Bay, located on the eastern coast of New Zealand's North Island, is celebrated for its warm maritime climate and diverse soils, particularly suited to Bordeaux varieties. The long, dry growing season provides excellent ripening conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, producing wines with both structure and aromatic lift.

Coleraine is sourced from Te Mata's oldest vineyards in the Havelock Hills, first planted in 1892. Initially a single-vineyard wine, since 1989 Coleraine has been an assemblage of the estate's best plots. In 2022, the grapes were harvested between March 12 and April 1 from selected parcels, reflecting both history and terroir. These hillside vineyards, with their free-draining soils and exposure to cooling breezes, contribute freshness and precision to the wine's profile.

Winemaking

The 2022 blend is composed of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. Each parcel was destemmed and underwent traditional warm-plunged fermentation with extended maceration on skins, extracting colour, tannin, and flavour.

Maturation took place in predominantly new French oak barrels for 17 months. During this period, the wines were regularly topped and racked to encourage gentle oxygenation and integration of tannins. The final blend was made in December 2022, and the wine was bottled a year later, in December 2023. Technical analysis shows an alcohol of 13.5%, total acidity of 6 g/L, and pH 3.65 - a composition that promises longevity and balance.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep ruby with purple highlights, dense and youthful.
• Aroma: Floral notes of lavender and violet entwined with plum and blackcurrant, layered over graphite, nori, coffee grounds, vanilla, and tobacco.
• Palate: Intensely concentrated with vibrant freshness. Fine, polished tannins deliver precision and detail, unfolding in layers of dark fruit, savoury complexity, and exacting finesse on a long, resonant finish.

Did you know?

Coleraine was first produced in 1982 and named after the vineyard home of John and Wendy Buck. The name honours John Buck's grandfather, who was born in Coleraine, Northern Ireland. Today, it remains New Zealand's most iconic red wine, often compared to the great Bordeaux blends of Pauillac and Saint-Julien.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Dry-aged ribeye steak: The tannic structure binds beautifully with the marbled richness of the meat.
• Roast lamb with rosemary and garlic: Classic Hawke's Bay produce meets its vinous counterpart in a marriage of herb and savour.
• Wild venison with juniper and redcurrant: The wine's dark fruit and graphite notes highlight game flavours while its acidity lifts the dish.
• Aged hard cheeses (Comté, Cheddar): Their nutty depth mirrors the wine's savoury complexity.

History of Te Mata Estate

The estate's origins date back to 1896, when John Chambers planted the first vineyards on the Havelock Hills in Hawke's Bay. Initially, the focus was on Bordeaux-style red varietals, and Te Mata quickly became a pioneering force in the New Zealand wine industry. In 1974, the estate was acquired by the Buck family, marking a new era for Te Mata.

Under the leadership of John Buck, a prominent figure in modern New Zealand winemaking, the estate introduced Coleraine in 1982. Named after Buck's ancestral home in Northern Ireland, Coleraine became one of the country's most iconic Bordeaux blends, setting new standards for winemaking in New Zealand. Buck also expanded Te Mata's wine portfolio with the introduction of Elston Chardonnay in 1984 and Bullnose Syrah in the 1990s.

In 1990, the purchase of Woodthorpe Terraces brought additional diversity to Te Mata's vineyards. Today, the estate remains a multi-generational family business, with Nicholas and Toby Buck continuing the family legacy. The estate's success is built on a combination of traditional winemaking techniques and innovative practices, with a focus on producing wines that express the unique terroir of Hawke's Bay.

Region and Vineyards

Te Mata Estate's vineyards are situated in some of Hawke's Bay's most renowned subregions, including the Havelock Hills, Bridge Pā Triangle, and Gimblett Gravels. The region's warm maritime climate and diverse soils provide the ideal conditions for producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Chardonnay.

The estate's Woodthorpe Terraces, located at a higher altitude with cooler temperatures, adds complexity to its range, particularly in Elston Chardonnay. The red iron-rich soils of Bullnose and the alluvial gravels of Gimblett Gravels contribute to the distinct character of Te Mata's wines, reflecting the unique qualities of Hawke's Bay terroir.

Sustainability is a core value at Te Mata, and the winery is fully accredited by Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ). All of the estate's wines are made from estate-grown grapes, ensuring control over the entire production process, from vine to bottle.

Wine Range

Te Mata Estate's wine portfolio showcases a range of premium wines, each reflecting the estate's commitment to quality and craftsmanship:

• Coleraine: Te Mata's flagship wine and one of New Zealand's most iconic Bordeaux blends, known for its complexity, elegance, and ability to age.
• Elston Chardonnay: A rich, complex Chardonnay that has become a benchmark for New Zealand's white wines.
• Bullnose Syrah: A single-vineyard Syrah with intense fruit and floral-spice notes, crafted from old red iron soils in Hawke's Bay.
• Awatea: A Bordeaux-style blend designed for earlier drinking, offering similar depth to Coleraine but with softer tannins.
• Estate Vineyards Series: A collection of wines that provide an excellent introduction to Te Mata's style, representing the diversity of the estate's vineyards at a more accessible price point.

Did You Know?

Te Mata's Coleraine was inspired by John Buck's family heritage, taking its name from the Buck family's ancestral home in Coleraine, Northern Ireland. The estate is also home to the Bullnose Syrah, named after the Morris Cowley Bullnose car owned by the Buck family, a nod to both history and innovation.

Te Mata is one of the few wineries in New Zealand that produces wines exclusively from estate-grown grapes, ensuring the utmost control over quality and reflecting the unique terroir of Hawke's Bay.