Te Mata Estate Coleraine 2002
One of New Zealand’s iconic ‘Bordeaux Blend’ red wines – it’s the one I tend to see the most when flicking through wine auction catalogues in recent years. An established brand, hand picked from the Coleraine vineyard – in 2002 it was a Merlot-heavy blend – 39% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Franc and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Deep crimson hued with a noticeable turning towards brick red at the edges, with the bottle age. Good legs on it. Fresh redcurrants on the nose, with rich baking spices, dried peel and toffee. On the palate the rich flavours of bramble, doris plum and dark chocolate are just starting to fade; and the secondary notes of mocha and pepper are stepping in, swathed with a seasoning of cedary cigar box.
The acidity and tannins are also ageing away to a melting velvet; but still with some supple texture – towards a sweet and concentrated finish that is satisfying deep and long. A charming and refined wine, and although some of the sweet fruit is backing off, the richness and sensuality remains. An opulent style, and although I’d be trying to define it beyond simply ‘Bordeaux’, it has all the finesse of a great Pomerol.
