2015 Te Mata Estate Awatea Cabernets/Merlot Hawkes Bay New Zealand 750 ml

Over 100 Hundred Years — A Stalwart of Hawke’s Bay

Te Mata Estate is New Zealand’s greatest winery, consistently producing the country’s best Bordeaux styled reds.  Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate calls Te Mata Estate “one of New Zealand’s most respected wineries” and “a stalwart of Hawke’s Bay.” With a history dating to 1896, it’s easy to understand why. The plush, dark-fruited 2015 was awarded 93 points from Huon Hooke, judge for Decanter’s World Wine Awards, plus 94 points from The Wine Front, one of the leading Australia-based wine reviewers. We locked into 50 cases of “Awatea”. Here’s why.

Despite springtime frosts, which reduced yields, there’s no question that the 2015 growing season in Hawke’s Bay was one of the best on record. What separates the 2015 “Awatea” from its pricier counterparts in Bordeaux? Sunny skies and balmy temperatures prevailed well into the season, prolonging ripening and allowing maximum hangtime for Cabernet and Merlot — the kind of good fortune Bordeaux producers hope for year after year.

When the call to harvest came on March 28th, flavors were deep and complex, while acids remained firm due to the slow and steady ripening. Decanter’s Huon Hooke called the 2015 “Awatea” “bell-clear, pristine, beautifully made, and fresh as a daisy.” If you can resist the temptation to drink it early, the seductive 2015 will also evolve beautifully in the cellar over the next decade.