Impressions on new Te Mata Releases
Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 5:39 am
Just some quick impressions here from showcase tasting
2011 Te Mata Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc. I have always rated this label especially since the game changing 2007 which was sensational. The 2011 is again a sophisticated, detailed and exact wine with x factor, texture and pure drinkablility. Not a trendy wine it seems but I am buying. One of NZ's greatest Sauvignon Blancs and I don't know how succesful anyone would be arguing it is not the best one NZ produces outside Marlborough $27
2010 Te Mata Zara Viognier. It is a nice wine but a difficult grape for me to enjoy. It is extremely rich, concentrated and well textured. For me though I like the other two whites better $27
2010 Te Mata Elston Chardonnay. One of the very best Elstons of the decade. The thing I like about it is the precicion it shows, the focus, the fine acids which all seem better promoted than previous vintages. And value for money it is peerless. $27
2010 Te Mata Bullnose Syrah. I have never really found Bullnose to have the excitement and x factor in quantities enough to remove my wallet from my pocket but the 2009 and 2010 vintages are really stepping up a gear. Lovely ripe, svelte and satin like tannins, super in mouth texture and perfect ripeness. This is a class act and so so drinkable Sold Out but $45
2010 Te Mata Estate Awatea. This is an exceptionally classy wine and all for a very good price. It shows all the poise, all the detail and class of the Coleraine just with a touch of slightly more breezy boysenberry like fruit. The way I have seen Awateas from the past 5 years develop I am excited about this wine and will be buying quite a few. With a couple of years in the cellar they seem to lose that breeezy fruit and develop serious bordeaux like graphite/ iodine characters that you just never get in wines at this price. A must buy I think $30
2010 Te Mata Estate Coleraine. The big big question is; is it as good as the superlative 2009? To me the answer is "nearly". It is a fantastically concentrated and elegant wine, interlectual, precise and detailed. Very formal and as such loses a touch of the raw "excitement" the 2009 gave me when I have tasted it. It doesn't quite have the body of the 2007-2009 trio, it isn't as broad but it has a gorgeous satin texture and a building presense. A wine worthy of the label. I will buy but not as many as the 2009 but I will buy, it is all class. The price also is sneaking up into the "luxury" category. $70
2011 Te Mata Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc. I have always rated this label especially since the game changing 2007 which was sensational. The 2011 is again a sophisticated, detailed and exact wine with x factor, texture and pure drinkablility. Not a trendy wine it seems but I am buying. One of NZ's greatest Sauvignon Blancs and I don't know how succesful anyone would be arguing it is not the best one NZ produces outside Marlborough $27
2010 Te Mata Zara Viognier. It is a nice wine but a difficult grape for me to enjoy. It is extremely rich, concentrated and well textured. For me though I like the other two whites better $27
2010 Te Mata Elston Chardonnay. One of the very best Elstons of the decade. The thing I like about it is the precicion it shows, the focus, the fine acids which all seem better promoted than previous vintages. And value for money it is peerless. $27
2010 Te Mata Bullnose Syrah. I have never really found Bullnose to have the excitement and x factor in quantities enough to remove my wallet from my pocket but the 2009 and 2010 vintages are really stepping up a gear. Lovely ripe, svelte and satin like tannins, super in mouth texture and perfect ripeness. This is a class act and so so drinkable Sold Out but $45
2010 Te Mata Estate Awatea. This is an exceptionally classy wine and all for a very good price. It shows all the poise, all the detail and class of the Coleraine just with a touch of slightly more breezy boysenberry like fruit. The way I have seen Awateas from the past 5 years develop I am excited about this wine and will be buying quite a few. With a couple of years in the cellar they seem to lose that breeezy fruit and develop serious bordeaux like graphite/ iodine characters that you just never get in wines at this price. A must buy I think $30
2010 Te Mata Estate Coleraine. The big big question is; is it as good as the superlative 2009? To me the answer is "nearly". It is a fantastically concentrated and elegant wine, interlectual, precise and detailed. Very formal and as such loses a touch of the raw "excitement" the 2009 gave me when I have tasted it. It doesn't quite have the body of the 2007-2009 trio, it isn't as broad but it has a gorgeous satin texture and a building presense. A wine worthy of the label. I will buy but not as many as the 2009 but I will buy, it is all class. The price also is sneaking up into the "luxury" category. $70