Part of the ‘100-point’ tastings this week – Sam Kim gave this a perfect score in this year, declaring “This is a masterpiece”. The blend this vintage is 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc, matured in 70% new oak, and closed with a Diam 30 cork. I’ve commented before that there’s a dustiness to Coleraine that it wears like a badge of honour. It’s DNA is the parched Hawke’s Bay summer that ripens the Cabernet fruit so well – a dry, dusty gravels that shows in the tannins in particular, but the texture and finish too.
A deep crimson purple colour in the glass. The cassis note of good cabernet is there in the bouquet, mixing with cherry, black plum and boysenberry. Sweet meadow grass, oyster shell, peppercorn, liquorice, dark chocolate and rose petals add to the heady complexity. A wine of grand scale, with weight but also a fine polish, with the plush fruit already swallowing that oak. The keen line of acidity keeps focus and the palate has a sure-footed balance. We enjoyed this tonight (despite some concerns at its youth) but it will keep for a very long time if well cellared. 96pts
