Te Mata Estate Coleraine 2023 Magnum (1.5 Litre)

The 39th release of New Zealand’s most famous red wine is here! It was over 120 years ago that Te Mata planted Cabernet vines in the Havelock Hills in Hawke’s Bay, Te Mata Estate Coleraine (pronounced “Cole-raine” rather than “Coler-aine”) was first produced in 1982 and today is widely thought of as one of the best red wines produced in New Zealand.

This is the latest 2023 vintage and despite the challenges of the vintage they’ve produced a wine worthy of the title of NZ’s finest Bordeaux style red – the guys at Te Mata said “This is Coleraine essence – a
majestic statement of a place, a time, and a lineage.”

Using all estate grown fruit and bottled on the estate too, nothing is left to chance. Aged 17 months in French oak the final blend of Coleraine ’23 is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. It is every bit the world class wine you come to expect – a wine with complexity, power and elegance. Boy, this is some wine!

Te Mata’s meticulous attention to detail year after year does not go unnoticed around the world that’s for sure. Decanter magazine declared Coleraine as “New Zealand’s First Growth”, a phrase in reference to the top wines of Bordeaux based on reputation and price. The massive praise doesn’t end there either…

“All changed when Coleraine hit the market. No one had dreamed such a wine could be made from New Zealand grapes” – Bob Campbell MW
“A national treasure” – Jancis Robinson MW
“There is no denying that Coleraine has been NZ’s ‘Latour’ for a while.” – Matthew Jukes
“I would have no hesitation placing it within the class of Bordeaux second growths” – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“New Zealand’s greatest red wine” – Raymond Chan
“Wine legend – the most avidly collected of New Zealand red wines” – Decanter magazine
“A legendary Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend of New Zealand” – James Suckling

And check out the 2023 vintage reviews to date…

5 Stars (Michael Cooper, NZ Listener)
“Breed, rather than brute power, is the hallmark of Coleraine, estate-grown in the Havelock North hills and matured in French oak barriques, predominantly new. This notably graceful red is a blend of cabernet sauvignon (80%), merlot (15%) and cabernet franc (5%). Dark and purple-flushed, it is mouthfilling, with dense, well-ripened blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, oak complexity, and a finely structured, very harmonious finish. Best drinking 2030+.”

98/100 (Erin Larkin, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate)
“This cuvée is a selection of the best from each vintage. In 2023, the strongest performer was the Cabernet Sauvignon. The elevation in all aspects of this wine from the already tremendously impressive Awatea is significant. With raspberry, iodine, crushed shells, nori, pressed flowers, new lead pencil, tobacco, bramble and cassis, it is magnificent. I love this wine.”

98/100 (Sam Kim, Wine Orbit)
“Stunning bouquet … engaging and captivating. The palate exhibits immense concentration and presence, superbly enhanced by silky texture and layers of chalky tannins. The acidity is perfectly pitched and
provides freshness to this long-living wine. A wine of meticulous precision and undeniable sophistication”

95/100 (Gary Walsh, The Wine Front)
“I’ve tasted every vintage of Coleraine ever made. The acid line in this wine puts me in mind of the 2021. Blackcurrant, essence of Cabernet thing here, dried herbs (thyme) and nori, tobacco, pencil, liquorice/aniseed… with a very long finish. Wonderful perfume. I’m spending a lot of time thinking about this wine, about where it will go, and where it sits in the pantheon of Te Mata Coleraine, and the upshot is, ‘up’. “

Hardcore Coleraine collectors – now is not the time to leave a gap in the cellar! The 2023 is yet another one for the ages. If Coleraine is yet to sit in your cellar – there’s no better time to start than now! This is the wine that made history and broke records not so long ago with a thirty-two vintage collection fetching an eye watering $19,000 at auction – almost $600 per bottle! Cha-ching!

Named after the town in Northern Ireland where Te Mata Estate owner John Buck’s grandfather was born and first produced in 1982. This famous Bordeaux style red is presented in individually wrapped in Coleraine branded, vintage dated tissue and will comfortably sit in your cellar for 10-15 years.