Coleraine, Hawke’s Bay — 2021
-
Introduction
-
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.
-
-
Vineyard Profile
-
Coleraine 2021 was hand harvested from separate plots within Te Mata’s vineyards between March 9 – March 29, 2021.
- Appellation: Hawke's Bay
-
-
Vinification
-
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 assemblage was made in December 2021 and the finished wine was bottled in December 2022.
-
-
Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc
- Alcohol: 14%
- TA: 5.7 g/L
- p H: 3.54
-
Tasting Notes
-
The color of the 2021 Coleraine wine is deep crimson with royal purple edges. It has exceptional character. Its aroma is pure Hawke’s Bay cabernet, with scents of wild blackberry, blackcurrant, thyme, cedar, and fresh roses, which are signature to Coleraine.
The wine’s rich and vibrant palate is perfectly balanced, with a modern and varietally expressive taste, including cassis, raspberry, mocha, spice, and a distinctive minerality. The fruit ripeness is so succulent that it cloaks the profound, chiseled tannins that
carry the palate on endlessly. With perfume, power, finesse, and length, this wine is a unique creation.
-
Images
Reviews
-
Coleraine, Hawke’s Bay — 2021 – Wine Advocate – 98 Points
“The 2021 Coleraine is a superstar. It's the best I recall seeing on release in recent years, a total "pleasure-dome" situation. Tea tree, oyster shell, lavender, black tea and tobacco leaf burst from the glass. Seamless, polished tannins grace the palate. There are notes of creamy red fruits, cassis and bramble, Asian five spice, black cherry and graphite/mineral skein. The persistence of flavor here is extraordinary; it's detailed and nuanced but insistent in the mouth. The tannins cup the fruit in the mouth.”
-
Coleraine, Hawke’s Bay — 2021 – James Suckling – 98 Points
“Redcurrant and creme de cassis aromas. Roses. So aromatic. Stones. Oyster and mussel shell. Ink pot. Lead pencil shavings. Full-bodied but very tight and focused. Linear and long with fine, powdery and chewy tannins. Crushed velvet texture."
-
Coleraine, Hawke’s Bay — 2021 – Vinous – 97 Points
“Refined and understated, maintaining this Kiwi thoroughbred's royal reputation. It is a fragrant expression that brings sweetness of ripe, silky fruit without opulence or heaviness. Layers of complex flavor are infused through its concentrated yet satiny core, combining cassis, raspberry, violets, pencil lead, cedar and tea leaf. The finish is long, smoky and scented.”