2022 Te Mata Estate Coleraine Balthazar 12L

Brand	Te Mata Estate
Region	Hawkes Bay
Varietal	Cab Merlot Cab Franc
Size	12000ml
Alcohol %	13.5%
Vintage	2022
Country	New Zealand

There is no doubt the 2022 vintage had its challenges, yet you must take your hat off to Te Mata, especially when their latest release Coleraine 22 scored 99 points from Huon Hook. That is impressive, beyond belief and just highlights the lengths the Te Mata will go to, to make the best of every year, no matter what nature throws at us. Critic Huon Hooke of The Real Review, suggests that “Coleraine ’22 has tremendous persistence and wonderful structure. A great wine, that will richly reward long-term cellaring.” As usual, it is youthful, and primary but shows its class and promise for those careful collectors out there. Final blend is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc and has spent 17 months in new French oak.

Powerfully aromatic – classical Cabernet characters of crème de cassis, bay leaf, plum, tobacco and graphite.

Dense and focused, still youthful but pristine fruit floods the palate, closely followed by a burly entourage of structural tannins, the fruit is still very primary but undeniably luxurious and filled with undeniable potential. Possibly more forward than a classic Coleraine vintage, but with all the bones, flesh, and sinew to reward patient cellaring over 10 to 25 years. The wine will improve with a few hours in the decanter before enjoying, especially if opened before 2030.