Te Mata is to Hawkes Bay what Stonyridge is to Waiheke. The Coleraine vineyard is the top single vineyard produced by Te Mata and is distinctively Margaux-ish in style.

The Coleraine recieved international acclaim in 1983 and has been a continued award winner since. It is produced in good years (of 1998 was astunner). Coleraine was really the first wine to prove that NZ was capable of producing great cabernet if the varietal was approached properly. Hawkes Bay and particularly the Coleraine vineyard (along with the Gimblett gravels areas) is probably the best area in NZ for Cab Merlot blends. Waiheke would also be there.

Te Mata is a winery devoted to quality although recently they have made a Wood Thorpe label to cater to those that don't want to spend $15 USD or more on a wine. Theyu are still of good quality however.

Coleraine has always been given a five star rating since its conceptioon but has only been produced fourteen times out of the last twenty years. 1998 and 1995 are probably the best two years out of this 14.

Colour: Ruby red with purple hints,
Nose: dominated cassis and plum with cedar and aniseed notes apparent. Complex stemmy/minty notes also apparent.
Palate: Still huge, strong tannins and powerful acids really dominate the fruit which although over run makes a strong showing. The finnish is wonderful and the length is very impressive with flavours lingering for several moments after the tasting.
Overall: An excellent cabernet which I would rate year in and year out. However I don't believe that this is a five star wine every year and some critics agree with me. 93 point on the Jeremy scale and this should be available in the US for around $30-$40 USD. A great wine which does need another couple of years (say five) to develope and open up to be drinkable-too acidic and closed right now.

Hey Jermey, thanks for the post on the Coleraine. I've had this wine a couple of times in the last 3 months and would agree on it being closed. The nose is tremendos with fruit and spices really coming out, but it never quite lives up to my expectations when tasted. I've got another three bottles that I'll put on hold for a few more years in hopes of it settling down and all coming together. If the taste ever comes to match the nose, it'll be a tremendous wine.