Tasting Notes

From the depths of its saturated inky appearance, Coleraine '13 is a commanding statement of the vintage. Its powerful attack of beautifully ripened blackberries and black plums integrates with an accompanying surge of immediate tannin which quickly becomes the focus as the wine flows across the palate.

Coleraine '13 is a wine to contemplate, from a large glass, over several hours. It is a 30 year wine of impeccable style and character.

Coleraine '13. There is no comparison

Technical Analysis

pH: 3.53
Total acidity as tartaric: 6.2g/l
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual sugar: Dry

Winemaking

Each parcel of grapes was destemmed before a traditional warm, plunged fermentation and extended marceration on skins. The resulting wines were then run to predominately new French oak barrels for 18 months' maturation. Throughout this time, they were regularly topped and racked. The separate wines were blended in January 2014 then egg white fined during their second winter in barrel. The finished wine was then bottled in December 2014.

The final blend is 56% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot and 14% cabernet franc.

Vineyards

Coleraine '13 was hand harvested from separate plots within Te Mata's vineyards between 27 March and 11 April.

Origin

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. Originally a single vineyard wine, from 1989 Coleraine has been an assemblage of the finest wines produced from distinct plots within Te Mata Estate's oldest vineyards on the Havelock Hills.