A ‘Bordeaux style’ red blend from Hawke’s Bay. In 2017 this wine earned the rare distinction of being named a ‘Wine Legend’ by top wine magazine Decanter – placing it amongst other wines more than ten times its price. The only New Zealand wine to be named in this category, previous ‘Wine Legends’ include, Château Haut-Brion ’29, Château Lafite-Rothschild ’59, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti ’78 and Ridge Monte Bello ’70.
Coleraine changes composition depending on the vintage – the 1998 being a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc. A slightly purple-tinged black colour in the glass. The perfume leads with a soft violet floral note, with damson, cassis, thyme, terracotta, hazelnut, raspberry and lavender to follow. In excess of 25 years in bottle has slowed the vigour down, but this is by no means ‘an old bottle’. There are some secondary characters of tobacco, salami and leather, but the fruit still sings ripely through the palate. Cabernet takes the lead, with blackcurrant and graphite, then the middle fills with ripe, plummy Merlot, and the smoky Franc gives a touch of character and incense. Tannin is fine and elegant, beautifully integrated. A wine that unfolds as the evening progresses, and also through a single sip. Complex, layered and opulent. The finish has great persistence – dry, savoury and concentrated. 97pts
