Te Mata Coleraine Cabernet Merlot 2001
Coleraine derives its name from the Coleraine vineyard, home of John & Wendy Buck of Te Mata Estate. John's late grandfather came from Coleraine in Northern Ireland and the name has been maintained through the family properties to the wine.
The first Coleraine was made from the 1982 vintage and created an instant sensation within New Zealand for unsurpassed quality. Originally a single vineyard wine, from 1989 Coleraine has been an assemblage of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc wines produced from thirty plots within Te Mata Estate's nine Hawke's Bay vineyards. Coleraine's reputation for quality has extended, from the original 1982 release, over a line of vintages unbroken except for the cool 1992 and 1993 years. When Coleraine is well stored it develops and intensifies in bottle for 15 - 20 years from harvest.
"Coleraine is quite exceptional…what lovers of Bordeaux and great cabernet dream about." Max Allen, WinePlanet
"Universally acknowledged to be a classic." James Halliday, Winepros
"Judged among the top twenty wines in the world by one of the world's most discerning panels, the French-based European Grand Jury." Hawke's Bay Herald Tribune
"Coleraine consistently shows all the marvellous blackcurrant, cedar and tobacco characters which make cabernet great. It ages well and truly earned its spot amongst the Winewise Classics." Winewise
"A seriously good wine...I was stunned at the incredible performance of the Te Mata Coleraine." Tim White, The Australian Financial Review
"Te Mata's famous flagship red - Coleraine Cabernet Merlot - so exceptional it's almost beyond description - you have to taste to appreciate its incredible stature and finesse." Federation of Wine and Food Societies of New Zealand
"Since the initial vintage of Coleraine in 1982, it has towered above the rest of New Zealand's red wines." The Weekend Australian
"What's New Zealand's greatest wine? Te Mata Estate Coleraine, which demonstrated that this country can consistently produce world-class Bordeaux-style reds." New Zealand House & Garden.
"Coleraine is unquestionably Te Mata Estate's crowning glory." Lester Jesberg
"New Zealand's original and possibly only "First Growth" could well be the best fine wine bargain in all of Australasia." Paul Tudor, North Shore Advertiser
The grapes for the Coleraine 2001 were hand harvested between the 2nd and the 26th April. They were brought into the winery, destemmed, then pumped to open fermenters for a warm, plunged fermentation followed by a malolatic fermentation on skins. The finished lots were then transferred to barrel and after ongoing topping and racking, blending was done in January 2002, followed by a further year of barrel aging and egg- white fining before bottling in early January 2003.
Coleraine 2001 has a deep crimson colour, aromas of spice, dark chocolate and plums and an underpinning of cedar and coffee notes that flow through the long palate and firm tannin finish. Coleraine 2001 is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot and 16% Cabernet Franc, and will continue to develop in bottle for 6-12 years from harvest. Coleraine 2001 is a great partner to Italian and French foods, roast and grilled meats and all cheeses.
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