Te Mata Estate Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc

We all know that it’s Marlborough that flies the flag on the international scene for New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. But Te Mata Estate Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc from the Hawke’s Bay has been getting wine buffs in every corner of the globe giddy with excitement upon its release every year since its first vintage in 1984.

Other wines in the Te Mata get the headlines (like Coleraine, Awatea, Elston) but Cape Crest really does fly under the radar a wee bit. This is the latest 2023 vintage and despite a challenging vintage they’ve yet again produced a Cape Crest of first class quality…

96/100 & Top Rank Award (Stephen Wong MW, The Real Review)
“Seriously good barrel-fermented sauvignon”

96/100 (Sam Kim)
“Stunning precision and a great line and length”

94/100 (Huon Hooke, The Real Review)
“Intense and lively, medium full in weight and attractively elegant”

94/100 (James Suckling)
“So fresh and rather delicate”

This world famous label is 86% Sauvignon Blanc, 9% Semillon and a 5% splash of Sauvignon Gris, barrel fermented in new and seasoned French oak. It’s certainly a little bit different, it’s certainly very delicious! It’s loaded to the gunnels with an army of tropical fruit flavours like passionfruit, gooseberry, white nectarine, kaffir lime.

Like most Sauvignon, the Te Mata Estate Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc this can be enjoyed young and fresh and best served chilled. But don’t be shy to throw a couple of bottles in the cellar, it should evolve nicely up to 10 years from vintage.