The 2018 Te Mata Estate Coleraine Cabernet/Merlot is a proprietary blend from New Zealand's esteemed Hawkes Bay region. Produced by Te Mata Estate, this wine combines 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, and 15% Cabernet Franc. It is a red wine with a 13.5% alcohol content, sealed with a cork.
According to Vinous, this vintage marks a strong comeback after a challenging 2017 season. The 2018 growing conditions were favorable, allowing for an extended harvest period. Vinous rated it 96 points, highlighting its "youthful vitality and primary fruit" with "layer upon layer of flavor," including notes of raspberry, cassis, cocoa, and roses. They noted its "fine-grained and resolved" tannins and a "long and drawn out" finish, predicting it will improve over the next two decades (Vinous, 3/1/2021).
James Suckling awarded this wine an impressive 97 points, emphasizing its "very concentrated nose" and "rich, intense and plush feel." He described aromas of blackberry, raspberry, dark plum, dark chocolate, violet, and cedar oak. Suckling noted its "fresh acidity and depth" along with "long, fine and compressed tannins," suggesting it is suitable for both immediate consumption and aging (James Suckling, 12/7/2020).
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave the wine 94 points, noting its "fresh and floral" nose with "hints of green herbs and dark chocolate." The review described it as "medium to full-bodied" and "richly textured," with a "slight excess of flesh" that will mellow with age. The wine's "long and concentrated" finish was also highlighted (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 6/17/2021).
Wine Enthusiast also rated the 2018 Coleraine 96 points, praising its "power and ageability" as well as its precision. The review mentioned flavors of "black currant, plum, black olive, baking spice, dried green herbs, vanilla, and chocolate." The tannins were described as "chalky," "taut," and "powerful but well-integrated," indicating a promising aging potential (Wine Enthusiast, 5/1/2021).
In summary, the 2018 Te Mata Estate Coleraine Cabernet/Merlot is a highly acclaimed wine with strong reviews across the board. It showcases a complex profile with layers of fruit and spice, supported by well-integrated tannins, making it suitable for both immediate enjoyment and long-term aging.
