Te Mata
Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc, Hawke’s Bay
Since 1984, Cape Crest has developed an international following for its unique expression of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Barrel-fermented with a touch of Semillon and Sauvignon Gris, it is concentrated and complex, with toasty, citrus-blossom, pear, and stone-fruit characters. Cape Crest and its gannet symbol refer to Cape Kidnappers, the southern point of Hawke Bay, home to the world’s largest mainland colony of these remarkable marine birds.
The fully ripe grapes were hand-harvested from individual plots within Te Mata Estate’s vineyards, spanning across the Havelock Hill and Bridge PA Triangle sub-regions of Hawke’s Bay.
- Region
- Hawke's Bay
- Appellation
- Hawke's Bay
- Varietal Composition
- Sauvignon Blanc; Semillon, Sauvignon Gris
- Aging
- 11 months on lees, with regular stirring, in a mixture of new and seasoned French oak barrels.
- Alcohol
- 13%
Cape Crest opens with expressive grapefruit, lime blossom, and white currant, lifted by guava and citrus brioche. The palate is fine and long, layering nectarine, lemon oil, and ripe tropical fruit with sea salt, flint, and a hint of toasted cedar. Seamless and focused, it finishes fresh, mineral-edged, and persistent.
Wine Advocate
95 Points
2024
"On the nose, the wine offers white chocolate, quinine, lime zest, white flowers, jasmine, fennel and aniseed. The palate is expansive yet controlled, with a saline, mouthwatering line of acidity that carries long through the finish. The press cut was taken earlier in the cycle to preserve/protect the natural acidity and freshness. The wine was fermented from approximately 550 to 600 liters of free-run juice, with no malolactic fermentation employed. It matured for 11 months in French oak, 30% of which was new. This marks the second year of the estate’s new-barrel program, with 35% second-use oak and the balance third- and fourth-fill barrels. The result is a wine of authority and detail: it is concentrated, architectural and deeply satisfying. This is excellent."
— Erin Larkin, 2026
Vinous
93 Points
2024
"The 2024 Sauvignon Blanc Cape Crest is full of energy. A steely rod of grapefruit-like acidity cuts through round curves derived from barrel fermentation in 30% new oak. Good concentration nods to low yields. Young and zesty with primary flavours of white grapefruit, nectarine flesh, boxwood and subtle vanilla oak, the 2024 should evolve and round out further with time in bottle over the next decade. You could also drink it now for its vibrancy, if you must."
— Rebecca Gibb, 2026
