First produced in 1982, Coleraine is New Zealand’s most famous red wine. Coleraine derives its name from the Coleraine vineyard, home of John and Wendy Buck of Te Mata Estate. John’s late grandfather was born in Coleraine in Northern Ireland and the name has been maintained through the family home to the wine. A single vineyard wine until 1989, Coleraine is an assemblage of the finest wines produced from distinct plots within Te Mata Estate’s oldest Havelock Hills vineyards first planted in 1892.

Coleraine 2020 was hand harvested from separate plots within Te Mata’s vineyards between March 19 – April 2, 2020.

Each parcel of grapes was destemmed before a traditional warm, plunged fermentation and extended maceration on skins. The resulting wines were then run to predominately new French oak barrels for 17 months’ maturation. Throughout this time, they were regularly topped and racked. The separate wines were blended in January 2021 and the finished wine was bottled in December 2021.

The 2020 Coleraine has a rich flavor with hints of wild roses, cedar, blackcurrants, dark cherries, and plums. The wine has a perfect balance of ripe, dark fruit, and is complemented by notes of cocoa-nib and thyme. The wine is polished with layer upon layer of fine tannin. It has a long radiant finish, intense vitality, and a monumental mid-palate weight. This wine is a clear example of clarity, concentration, and focus.