Coleraine '15 ★★★★★ - 'A classically structured, ageworthy Cabernet blend with refined opulence.' 19.5/20

'New Zealand’s Grange equivalent, only Coleraine comes from one place, is much cheaper, and to my tastes, is significantly better and more interesting.' 96+ Points

Coleraine '15 ★★★★★ - 'Deep red/purple colour and a ripe berry aroma which recalls blueberry, blackberry and raspberry. A fine, balanced but persuasive tannin grip, and excellent persistence. Very stylish wine with a big future. A top vintage.' 96 Points

Coleraine '15 ★★★★★ 'Dark and dense, this is a highly refined blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc... Powerful with a lovely array of concentrated, ripe blackcurrant, plum, spice and nut flavours, it's an authoritative, youthful red.'

'After completing a vertical of Coleraine, I witness a couple of tasters undergo their Te Mata epiphany...'

'For those who have come to NZ wine through Marlborough sauvignon blanc and fruity Central Otago pinot noir, Coleraine is a revelation...'

'With some of the country’s finest wines on its books there’s little doubt that Hawke’s Bay can produce outstanding-quality reds and whites. You’ll now find Hawke’s Bay wines in Michelin restaurants from Paris to Monaco.'

Coleraine '15 ★★★★★ - 'Dark and dense, this is a highly refined blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc matured in French oak. Powerful with a lovely array of concentrated, ripe blackcurrant, plum, spice and nut flavours, it’s an authoritative, youthful red.'

Coleraine '15 ★★★★★ - 'Dark and dense, this is a highly refined blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabenet franc... Powerful with a lovely array of concentrated, ripe blackcurrant, plum, spice and nut flavours, it's an authoritative, youthful red.'

Coleraine '05 - 'A stunning example of how new world and old world combines, this to me was an absolute star, seamless, the hedonistic rose petals on the nose to the silky smooth damsons, juicy blackberries, hints of bay and slightly dry overtones, but balanced by weight and depth. The purity and length of this wine is immense. Still needs time and will age well.'

Coleraine '15 - '...expansive and muscular, yet it boasts a lovely sophisticated silouette...'

Coleraine '15 ★★★★★ - '......Perfectly proportioned and detailed with focus and structure, wonderfully enhanced by delectable fruit flavours and elegant oak infusion...'

Coleraine '15 ★★★★★ - '...A wine of symmetry and harmony, refinement and sophistication...' 98 points

Coleraine '15 ★★★★★ - '...This is the best Coleraine ever released... buy as much of this Coleraine '15 as you can afford...' 19/20 points

'My benchmark. I’ve had every vintage of Coleraine the Buck family have made, from the inaugural 1982 to the current 2015. Te Mata Estate is the standard by which every other wine producer could be judged. The full range of styles has always been impeccable.'

'The longest continually produced premium wine in this country ... the benchmark.'

Coleraine '15 ★★★★★ - 'Rich, concentrated and velvety red...an impressively layered wine with a lengthy finish.' 97/100

Coleraine '15 - "Top 50 wines of the world. Smooth resolve, all class... Balanced now but there's more to come. This will fill out nicely." 96 points

Coleraine - '...New Zealand's Greatest Red Wine...'

'A Wine Legend - the most avidly collected of New Zealand red wines.'

'If there was Kiwi wine aristocracy, Te Mata would be it. Nestled in the foothills of the Te Mata heritage zone, they make some of the best wines in the country. Independent, family-owned, exclusively Hawke's Bay, and committed to making premium wine on site.'

'The Listener asked Michael Cooper to select the ‘Best Wines’ in New Zealand. Across five wine styles, Michael chose a total of eight wines, including two from Te Mata Estate. Te Mata Estate Coleraine and Te Mata Estate Elston.'

Awatea '14 - '2013 was an outstanding vintage for New Zealand's answer to the Médoc and northern Rhône rolled into one: Hawke's Bay ... 2014 is thought of as potentially even better than the outstanding 2013.'

Coleraine '14 ★★★★★ - 'A wine that more than lives up to its stellar reputation.' 98 Points

Coleraine '14 ★★★★★ - 'Dark and powerful, with dense flavours of blackcurrants, plums, spices and dark chocolate, firm, ripe tannins and great complexity. It’s already very expressive and will flourish with cellaring.'

“I conjectured whether this is New Zealand’s greatest wine? Well, let me put it this way, it is the frontrunner… a complex, intellectual entity that rewards long term cellaring year after year.”

Coleraine '14 - 'A bouquet loaded with blackberry, blackcurrant and raspberry fruit aromas. Elegantly structured, with refreshing acidity and ample soft, fine-grained tannins. There’s a real zing to this wine. It has liberal extract and beautifully balanced tannins, the long finish harmonious and satisfying. Superb wine.'

Coleraine '14 - 'Very elegant, medium-bodied, well-structured and fine.' 93 Points

Coleraine '14 - 'Boasts excellent intensity… terrific depth to its flavors of dark berries, flowers and spices.' 91+ Points

'New Zealand’s First Growth. Many critics consider Coleraine up there with the best Bordeaux blends in the world. The original intention may have been to mirror the top Cru Classé but, today, Coleraine has evolved its own style.'

Coleraine '14 ★★★★★ - 'Back to back perfection.' 100 Points

COLERAINE '14 - TOP 50 WINES OF THE WORLD 2016 'Stylish modern cabernet that could compete with the best from any continent.'

Coleraine '14 - 'Dried roses and violets, pencil cases and cedar, black raspberry, blackcurrant, liquorice tea and chai - just magnificent to smell. Medium bodied, saturates the mouth with flavour and ultra-fine toothsome tannin, acidity is weaved through the wine like magic - all minerally and perfumed - spread of graphite tannin runs through its superb lenth. What a wine. A triumph.' 97 points

Coleraine '14 - 'Deep mulberry and rose flower nose, herbaceous, rich and multi layered. Cassis and toasty background, despite the taught tannins there is a lovely richness to this wine and great prospect again, but on the day the 13 was showing better.'

Coleraine '13- 'They say there is no such thing as perfection in wine, but if there was, Coleraine '13 has to be it. A profound offering from New Zealand’s greatest wine label.' 100 points ★★★★★

Coleraine '13- 'An intense, powerful wine with obvious cellaring potential. Initially the wine is hard to read but layers of dark berry, cedar, spice and savoury characters are displayed on its considerably lengthy finish. This is the best vintage of Coleraine I can recall tasting.' 98 points ★★★★★

'The 2013 Coleraine seems to be the best yet. It is a powerful and intense wine, yet remains elegant and precise. When it comes to New Zealand Bordeaux blends, Te Mata Estate Coleraine is one of – if not the – country’s first growths.'

'Te Mata Estate’s flagship has set a new benchmark. There’s great concentration and elegance to its fresh blackcurrant fruit, that’s joined by licorice, herb, stony and savoury notes. These are underpinned by firm but ripe satiny tannins, which should keep this harmonious wine in fine form for decades. - The 10 Best Wines of 2015.'

Coleraine '13 - 'Te Mata Estate Coleraine is one of the southern hemisphere’s finest cabernets, and the latest release enhances that reputation. Although it clearly needs to be cellared, the blackcurrant/tobacco/cedar nose and intense firm palate simply dripped with class. This wine will begin to show what it’s all about in five years, and be magnificent in ten.' ★★★★★

Coleraine '13 - 'Ripe scents of blood plum, berry compote then come lifted out of the glass with tobacco wet earth, mangrove greenery... remarkably vital, red and black fruit characters. Very well formed, very good wine.' 95 points

Coleraine '13 ★★★★★ - 'Deep black-red colour with lighter purple hues on rim, youthful in appearance. The nose is elegant in presentation with tightly bound, concentrated aromas of ripe blackcurrant and cassis fruit entwined with black and red plum fruit and waves of redcurrant detail. Lifted dark red and black floral perfumes unfold revealing layers of intricate detail with real precision. The fruit is enriched by pencil shavings and toasty oak elements. The palate possesses mouth-coating, flowery tannins, the extraction very refined and pervading, encasing the fruit. The structure grows in prominence, balanced by fresh lacy acid vitality, and carries the wine to a concentrated, vibrant, textural, lingering finish. This is a wonderfully concentrated, elegantly proportioned Coleraine with outstanding finesse and structure.'

'Very deep purple red colour, very young looking and immature. The bouquet is all violets and blackberry, with a veneer of nutty oak, and the whole thing oozes class. It’s full-bodied, rich and powerful, a sumptuously flavoured wine with ample soft tannins and great structure. Great fruit depth and power, lashings of tannin, all in harmony, and the tannins are smooth and ripe and agreeable. This needs a lot more time and will be very long lived.' 96 points

'The best Coleraine I have ever tried and it’s not because bigger is better; on the contrary. Balance is the key to this exceptionally intense coloured, black fruited wine. It is a wonderful expression of the elegant muscular youth of a very high proportion of cabernet sauvignon (56%) and cabernet franc (14%), both of which are then softened by the flesh of ripe merlot (30%) and all matured in a hefty sounding 70% new oak. This adds a tightness and reins in the wine to a beautiful structure. Save it for a rainy day or drink it now. This is the best Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon based red that I have ever had.'

'Coleraine would give Bordeaux classified growths a run for their money. A powerful and intense wine yet remains elegant and precise.' 96 points

'My Favourite Wine of 2015 - Coleraine ‘13. When Coleraine was first made in 1982, it was light years ahead of any New Zealand red wine produced before that date. It has since become the country’s most iconic wine label.'

'New Zealand’s pre-eminent cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc blend is on a song in 2013. The palate is full-bodied, powerful and concentrated. It oozes class and will be long-lived.' 96 points

'TOP 100 WINES of 2015 - Perfectly ripe cassis and redcurrant fruits, hints of darker blueberries and a sheen of expertly curated oak add style and swagger. The palate is superb for its clarity, depth and definition.' 97 points

96 Points 'Coleraine ‘05. An intense deep purple core, with a beautiful leafy character with youthful dark currant notes and subtle, integrated oak. A very complete wine now. Elegance, concentration and power are all evident in this sleek thoroughbred.'

'The country’s most iconic wine label.'

Coleraine '13 - 'Both 2013 and 2014 were great vintages in Hawkes Bay after a poor 2012, both these wines show how Te Mata continue to develop and improve their wines. The 2013 needs time but certainly was another blockbuster, so well balanced, elegance, liquorice, voluptuous, cassis on nose, deep brambles in the background, chocolate, red currants evolving well. Possibly could get better than the 2005 but I cant wait that long!'

Coleraine '11- 'New Zealand’s closest parallel to great Bordeaux.'

Coleraine '11 - 'How can it be possible? The wine is formidable and vigorous, yet refined and flowing at the same time. I loved it when I tried a barrel sample a few months ago, and I still love the wine’s poise and structure. Needs time of course. It will be fascinating to see the wine’s evolvement with a high portion of cabernet sauvignon in the blend (a whopping 72%). The bouquet is perfumed exhibiting red plum, cassis, floral, dried herb and cedar notes. It’s compact and focused on the palate with silky texture and fine drying tannins. It’s not grippy despite the mouthcoating tannins, and the finish is powerful and extremely long.' 96 points ★★★★★

'Very dark, deep, black-red colour. The bouquet is densely packed with aromas of blackcurrants and dark herbs with ripe plum and earthy notes, quite classical Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot varietal characters showing. Medium-full bodied, ripe blackcurrant fruit and dark plum flavours are lifted by spicy oak notes. Some cedar emerges. This has richness and density of texture with full, but fine-grained tannins. The flavours have a restrained, providing a balanced and elegant expression, but the weight and extract build in intensity and drive. Excellent acidity is present, adding to the palate line and energy, and the finish is concentrated, sweet and sustained. This is a well-ripened Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine with classical black fruits, good oaking and fresh acidity, framed by significant structure. It’s texture will see it age a decade easily.' 18.5/20 ★★★★★

Coleraine '11- 'The best New Zealand Bordeaux-style red - Coleraine Te Mata is New Zealand’s oldest winery and it makes a benchmark Bordeaux style wine that is world class.'

'Shares some of the same excellence in mint, flowers and dark fruits on the nose and palate. Full body. More upfront fruit. Long and silky texture. Beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon character here. Better in 2015.' 93 points

'One reviewer described the 2007 Coleraine as “the finest wine ever made in New Zealand”. What astonishedme is that he is probably correct. It is gloriously perfumed, rich and ripe, and should cellar brilliantly for at least 25 years.'

"A magnificent beauty."

Coleraine '10- 'Coleraine - the beating heart of Hawke’s Bay in vinous form. Not just one of New Zealand’s greatest Bordeaux blends (I happen to think it's in the No.1 spot) but one of the world’s elite versions too.'

Coleraine '10- 'Intense yet fine in the Medoc style. This is a classic Coleraine - medium-bodied, fine, savoury and long. Outstanding.'

Coleraine '10 - 'Deeply coloured, it is beautifully fragrant, weighty and supple, with deep blackcurrant, plum, spice an coffee flavours in a supremly elegant and savoury style, showing great finesse and harmony. Sure to be long-lived.' Super Classic. ★★★★★

Coleraine '10- 'Deep purple red. Beautifully scented with rose/violet florals coming through. Lovely lift and vibrancy to the flavours with dry tannins that have a silky coating that parts occasionally to reveal a velvet lining.'

Coleraine '10- 'Perfectly ripe grapes and layers of refined texture within a graceful frame of polished tannins. Blueberry, dark plum and floral with hints of spice, dried herb and game. Beautifully poised with a flowing texture and an exceptionally long, intricate finish. I consider Te Mata Estate New Zealand's finest wine grower. These are extraordinary examples in the world of wine. Some of the best wines you can get.'

Coleraine '10- 'Very elegant... beautiful perfumes. This is a wine of finesse and vitality that will undoubtedly grow in richness.' 18.5/20 ★★★★★

Coleraine '10- 'Beautifully fragrant, weighty and supple, with deep blackcurrant, plum, spice and coffee flavours in a supremely elegant and savoury style, showing great finesse and harmony.' Super Classic ★★★★★

'Pricey? It certainly is. But compared to equivalent Bordeaux at $1000 or more, it's a bargain. It is one those wines you wish you had a few bottles in your cellar, so that you can drink a bottle every five years to see how the wine's voice is changing, maturing, deepening. This 2010 vintage will rank as one of a handful of great Coleraines since the first vintage in 1982. There's no excess here. Not too much of anything, yet the wine is packed with perfectly ripe grapes and layers of refined texture within a graceful frame of polished tannins. As the wine sat in the glass, the flavour of the wine was revealed in more dimensions than you might have thought possible. There's blueberry, dark plum and floral with hints of spice, dried herb and game. The palate is beautifully poised with a flowing texture and an exceptionally long, intricate finish. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, it will be drinking astonishingly well in about 10 to 15 years, and will continue to hold its beauty and grace for a few more years after that.'

Coleraine '10- 'An iconic Bordeaux-style blend. A dense savoury red with a fantastic long and layered texture plus berry, floral and herb characters. Vibrant wine with great potential. Although accessible now, the wine promises to age at least as gracefully as the best of its predecessors in the past 30 years. An elegant, powerful red that thoroughly deserves its cult status.'

Coleraine '10- 'Arguably New Zealand’s most famous red wine.'

Coleraine '10- 'One of Hawkes Bay’s most famous wines, this hadn’t been in bottle for long when I tried it but it did leave quite an impression. Floral aromas of blackberries, cassis, pencil oak, bittersweet chocolate and a twist of herb are mirrored on the wonderfully intense palate, along with a rich, nutty oak character. It’s a wine of great structure, too, with fine, drying tannins that are all class, seamless acidity and great length.' Outstanding ★★★★★

Coleraine '10- Te Mata Estates Coleraine is enjoyed by Prime Minister John Key and the Royal Family.

'Te Mata Estate - Four stars out of four. Grand and prestigious. Especially good within it’s price range.'

'The legendary cabernet sauvignon and merlot blend of NZ. New Zealand’s Sassicaia.'

'Coleraine '09 - 'Exceptional. One of the top cabernet blends in the world.'

'Coleraine '09 - Perfect... a new level of flavours. A boysenberry, dark purple colour with even more complexity than the 2007. The nose is perfect and the palate has a new level of flavours not seen in any of the preceding wines: licorice, pepper and spice, to complement the truly classical notes of blackcurrants, bramble and cedar.' 19.5/20

Coleraine '09- 'A restrained beauty, perfectly poised and supremely discreet. It’s youthful yet gloriously complex. A wine of great presence and definition. Yes, this is indeed a whisper better than the exceptional 2007 Coleraine making this the greatest New Zealand wine ever made.' 98 points

Coleraine '09 - 'Intense notes of cedar over black currant, blackberry and cloves plus hints of dusty earth, dried leaves, moss covered bark and Mediterranean herbs. Full bodied with firm fine-grained tannins, it offers taut, tightly-knit flesh with a lively acid backbone and a long, layered finish.' 93+ points

Coleraine '09- 'This is an awesome Bordeaux blend with light mint, flowers and dark fruits. Currants and slightly dried fruit. Full-bodied, with layers of ripe tannins and long, long finish. Still slightly chewy. Needs another three to four years to come around.' 94 points

Coleraine '09- 'Stylish, classy red-berry aroma with great elegance and a lingering aftertaste.' 95 points

'Dense, powerful red with classic Cabernet Sauvignon characters dominating to give the wine a cassis, floral and sweet mint character. Lovely juicy fruit gives accessibility. Will age magnificently. Coleraine doesn’t get much better than this.' 97/100 ★★★★★

Coleraine '09- 'Blackberry, dark chocolate, a touch of sloe and liquorice. The finesse is there on the long, languid finish. A masculine Coleraine with great intensity and promise for the future.' 93-95 points

Coleraine '09- 'Balanced, bashful and beautiful, this is for those who appreciate flavour and finese, style and sophistication. A serious wine drinker’s wine that would rather dance on the head of a pin than stomp on a stage. Always reliable, it reflects the passion of its producers.'

Coleraine '09- 'Dense, powerful red with classic Cabernet Sauvignon characters dominating to give the wine a cassis, floral and sweet mint character. Lovely juicy fruit gives accessibility. Will age magnificently. Coleraine doesn’t get much better than this.' 97 points ★★★★★

Coleraine '09- 'It takes a little nerve to declare a wine as the best of its type or even the best ever vintage of a certain label. But I’m on reasonably solid ground when I describe Te Mata Coleraine as Hawkes Bay’s best blended red. Coleraine has been impressing wine lovers since its first vintage in 1982. Dense, powerful red with classic cabernet sauvignon characters including cassis, floral and sweet mint flavours. Lovely juicy fruit gives accessibility. Should age magnificently.'

Coleraine '09- 'A dense, concentrated but not heavy red with a lovely array of cassis, plum, spice and nut flavours, yet to fully unfold. In terms of its elegance, tightness of structure and longterm potential, it reminded me of a top Margaux.' ★★★★★

'The 2009 Te Mata Estate Coleraine is utterly magnificent. This blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc gives the very best of Bordeaux a run for their money. Don’t hesitate.' Outstanding

Coleraine '08- 'A cabernet/merlot blend that blew me away on a recent trip to New Zealand. While the 2007 was a model of seductiveness, the 2008 had a touch more grit but the same silky and suave mouth feel with great depth of fruit.'

'Another great showing by a Hawkes Bay wine that stands tall on the international stage. Stylish, attractive red with cassis with cedary overtones. It has balance and elegance. It definitely needs time, and is one of the best of an illustrious line.'

Coleraine '08- "Has there ever been a more deliciously approachable Coleraine? I love it. The best Coleraine I've tasted."

'Very dark hued black-red with purple hues, this has a wonderful purity of fragrant blackcurrant fruit expression on the nose which is reflected on the refined and elegantly structured palate. Tightly bound still, this nevertheless exudes beauty and class. The balance of the wine is quite inspirational and a model to aim for in a Bordeaux-styled wine. Everything is in place, and this should develop over the next 12-15 years easily.' 19/20

Coleraine '08- 'As it unfolded it seemed terribly good. It’s a wine of layers and tannin. It tastes of dust, crushed leaves, blackcurrant and blackberry. There is some creamy, nutty, cedary oak too and a bitter, dark olive-like flavour to the aftertaste. Its tannin gives a sense of stature. Excellent.' 94+ points

'This is an eagerly anticipated release each year, and this wine lives up to its reputation. The aromas display understated power, concentrated blackcurrant with cedary notes. On the palate it’s all there: tight elegant structure, long undeveloped flavours, fine chalky tannins and great vibrancy. Long term cellaring recommended.' Outstanding.

'This is an eagerly anticipated release each year, and this wine lives up to its reputation. The aromas display understated power, concentrated blackcurrant with cedary notes. On the palate it’s all there: tight elegant structure, long undeveloped flavours, fine chalky tannins and great vibrancy. Long term cellaring recommended.' Outstanding.

Coleraine '08- 'It's fruit is surrounded by assertive oak, making for a firm structure. In time it will integrate and open up to blackcurrant and capsicum fruit' 94 points

Coleraine '08- 'One of New Zealand’s top wineries, and Coleraine, a rich but elegant cabernet–merlot blend is considered the archetypal Hawke’s Bay red.'

'A wine of sophistication and refinement displaying perfectly ripe fruit with firm tannins. Coleraine 2008 looks restrained and tightly structured with firm tannins, needing at least five to six years to show its magnificent fragrance and complexity.'

'There is no bigger wine legend in New Zealand than Te Mata Coleraine... tasting the elegant 2004, power-packed 2006 and an immaculate current release 2008 demonstrated that Coleraine still rules.'

Coleraine '08- 'This is an eagerly anticipated release each year, and this wine lives up to its reputation. The aromas display understated power, concentrated blackcurrant with cedary notes. On the palate it’s all there: tight elegant structure, long undeveloped flavours, fine chalky tannins and great vibrancy. Long term cellaring recommended.'

Coleraine '08- 'Another great showing by a Hawkes Bay wine that stands tall on the international stage. It’s a stylish, attractive red with cassis with cedary overtones. It’s also very tight and focussed, but above all it has balance and elegance. It definitely needs time, and is one of the best of an illustrious line.' Outstanding

Coleraine '08- 'Coleraine is one of a small handful of truly cult New Zealand wines. The release of each vintage is a significant date in the wine calendar. This year’s wine is a dense and lively red with layers of berry fruit and blackcurrant together with a more subtle influence of floral, dried spice and cedar flavours. The best Coleraine I’ve tasted for a while and better than the highly rated 2007.'

Coleraine '08- 'Coleraine still leads the pack with a style that grows more refined every year. Dense and lively red with layers of berry fruit and blackcurrant, together with a more subtle influence of floral, dried spice and cedar flavours.' ★★★★★

'Coleraine is the most famous Cabernet-Merlot wine in New Zealand.For those who have come to NZ wine through Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and fruity Central Otago Pinot Noir, it was a revelation.'

Coleraine '07 - 'New Zealand’s greatest red wine ... mind-bending ... A great wine without doubt.'

'Te Mata Estate Coleraine is arguably New Zealand’s greatest red wine. Certainly, it’s been produced for a long time, 26 vintages, and has been at or near the totem most of that time. Te Mata Estate Coleraine was the first Kiwi cabernet blend to rock the world, which it did from its first vintage, 1982.'

'2007 was the driest growing season in a decade, and the fruit was harvested in perfect conditions. Youthful, purple red in colour, this had beautifully ripened floral notes counterpoised with rich and ripe dark fruit aromas. Lovely spice notes to the perfumes added great interest. However it was the sweetness of the fruit that was magical. Succulent and luscious, with wonderful aromatic character, the huge extraction gave balance and style to the wine. Very refined tannins and great length, this is perfect in the Margaux-style of Bordeaux at the top level. A stunning effort that should see two decades of life easily.' 20/20

Coleraine '07- 'Hawkes Bay’s first star red wine has never been better. It oozes class, from it’s cassis and violet bouquet to it’s beautifully balanced palate, where ripe fruit is shrouded in fine-grained tannins.' 97 points

Coleraine '07- 'Te Mata Estate Coleraine is arguably New Zealand’s greatest red wine. Certainly, it’s been produced for a long time, 26 vintages, and has been at or near the totem most of that time. These days it could be argued that pinot noir is NZ’s most successful red variety. But Te Mata Estate Coleraine was the fi rst Kiwi cabernet blend to rock the world, which it did from its fi rst vintage, 1982.'

Coleraine '07- 'One runs out of superlatives to describe this wine. The nose is stunning – pure blackcurrant, a textbook expression of cabernet sauvignon. But there's more — red berries and violets too. The palate is intensely flavoured, long and lingering, with fine grained tannins and great oak handling. Outstanding. It’s doubtful if there’s a better example of a similar blend in New Zealand or Australia.'

Coleraine '07- 'A Bordeaux blend from New Zealand that gave the Pomerols and St Juliens more than a run for their money. Poised and elegant, this could easily pass for a Bordeaux Cru Classe in a blind tasting.'

'One runs out of superlatives to describe this wine. The nose is stunning – pure blackcurrant, a textbook expression of cabernet sauvignon. But theres more - red berries and violets too. The palate is intensely flavoured, long and lingering, with fine grained tannins and great oak handling. It’s doubtful if there’s a better example of a similar blend in New Zealand or Australia.' Outstanding

Coleraine '07- 'If any wine should represent New Zealand Bordeaux blends, this wine is it. 'Perfect physiologic maturity of the grapes and enormously elegant. So right. As a bonus we tried the half full bottle after it had been open for 4 days. It was even better! All I want for Christmas is a vertical tasting of Coleraine!'

Coleraine '07- 'Simply put this is one of New Zealand's flagship reds. Lifted hints of dried flowers and herbs impart great complexity to the aromas, and the wine’s cassis, cedar and chocolate flavour come across as intense without being overbearing. This is firmly structured, with plentiful but fine tannins. Drink 2015-2025.'

Coleraine '07- 'New Zealand’s most lauded wine, Coleraine, a classic blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot. It ages superbly and its baby brother, Awatea, is no slouch either.'

'The highly perfumed and beautifully proportioned Te Mata Coleraine is an enduring classic, with a wonderful consistency and lasting voice of place. It is a New Zealand first growth, with all the attributes one expects of great wine: complexity, beauty, freshness and longevity. The 2007 is exceptional, with perfumed violet blackcurrant/mocha aromas, fine grained chalky tannins and underlying savoury cedar oak.'

Coleraine '07- 'This is outrageously good – perfectly ripe, a beautifully weighted mid palate and fine compact tannins providing both structure and length. The most gloriously poised and seamlessly woven wine from this part of the world.'

'2007 may be their best . . . it is a superb example of fruit strength, balance and finesse. Young but accessible now.'

Coleraine '07- 'An elegant, silky Bordeaux-style blend from Hawke’s Bay that ages quite brilliantly. Could be the best yet from this established winery.'

Coleraine '07- 'Impressive wine with great intensity, power and complexity… a peacocks tail of berry, spice and herbal flavours… with the potential to offer a spectacular display in a few years.'

'A very balanced and pretty wine with tension and very fine tannins and a currant and berry aftertaste. Rose and licorice. Full and refined with a long, long finish. Very pretty and integrated. Drinking beautifully. Drink or hold.' 91 points

Coleraine '07- 'Excellent colour, deep and strong; an all-round deeper, riper and more complete wine … yet retains the same Bordeaux-like nuances; the finish is long and particularly well balanced.' 95 points

'Deep, inviting crimson colour with aromas of blackcurrant, cherry, cocoa and fl oral notes. Palate of delicately layered dark fruit, marzipan and roasted coffee. Sheer class.'

'Te Mata Estate’s reputation as one of this country’s fi nest producers is enhanced with these latest releases. I think the wines I tasted last week are some of the fi nest I have tried. Te Mata Estate Coleraine 2007 is one of the best they have produced to date. Multi-layered, intense, powerful... An exceptional wine that is drinking well now but will reward time in the cellar.'

'Coleraine '06. The palate is classy: some dense fi ne tannins, super smooth, almost St-Emilion-like; the overall impression is supple with the grace, power and elegance to age handsomely. 96 points."

Coleraine '06- 'Wonderfully balanced and a real doppelgänger for a cabernet based Right Bank. Very harmonious and well defined, it deserves several years in bottle.'

'Dark purple red in colour, the aromatic nature of the wine distinguishes it from the others in the line-up. Sweet, luscious, perfumed fruits along with a powerful iron core of massive extraction shows the serious nature of this wine. 15 years of cellaring will be possible here.' 19.5/20

'Very dark, deep, purple hued ruby red, dense, almost impenetrable, youthful in appearance. The bouquet is one of fragrance, tight and intense, and promising much more than its simpler dimensions at present show. The florals are gorgeous, quite exotic, with perfumes and scents. These come through on the palate, and are the feature of the flavour profile. Florals, roses red and black currants, plums and berries show. The extraction is very serious and very fine, contributing to the tightness of the wine. This is a beautifully fine-grained ‘Coleraine’ that will show finesse, fragrance and elegance.' 19.5/20

Coleraine '06- 'Subtle, understated and probably the most typical Bordeaux-style offering from Hawkes Bay. Subtle, restrained blackcurrant and cedar and mineral edge. Fine tannic frame. Elegant.'

Coleraine '06- 'The nose is restrained and tight at first, then reveals an exotic perfume of violets, wild cherries and woodsmoke. The palate is locked up too, with a hint of blackcurrant essence, but powerful and sinewy enough to reward careful cellaring for the next decade.'

"Coleraine deserves its reputation as New Zealand’s benchmark Bordeaux-blend wine and in terms of quality, I have no hesitation placing it within the class of Bordeaux Second Growths.”

'Very dark, purple red in colour, youthful in appearance. Very full and very ripe, this had dark fruit aromas and just a hint of savoury complexity showing. Dense and powerful, the palate was extremely fine-textured, and showed great concentration. This structure kept the richness in check, and thus, elegance of style. Lovely complexities with the layers of flavours. Two decades of life ahead easily.' 19.5/20

'Dark, deep ruby red with purple hues, very youthful, a little lighter on edge. Very full and rich on nose, with nuanced lush fruit aromas. The aromas open up to reveal layers of complex aromatics in the riper spectrum, with a little meaty interest. On the palate, the plump black fruits speak of Merlot, and the wine is full and rich. There is considerable power, size and depth, the tannin extraction serious and solid. A full wine, with the rounded richness allowing some accessibility that the 2006 does not show yet.' 19/20

'Coleraine has good concentration, power and length, and nice supple, ripe tannins. The first vintage, 1982, is still in great condition today, a classic that tastes like a good Medoc. The style seems more powerful and riper than in the distant past, on average, and the ‘05 epitomises the style, being fragrantly floral and red-berried with echoes of violets and spice, and unobtrusive oak.'

Coleraine '05- 'If you are into the old idea of laying down something at the birth of your children, Coleraine is one of the few local wines that you know will make it to their 21st birthday in the condition you expect of a celebration wine. This is the sort of red wine that aspirational winemakers aim for: supple, elegantly aromatic and lithe and boasting beautiful bones.'

Coleraine '05- 'A revelation. The wine remains Bordeaux focused, the age of the vineyards bringing increasing complexity and depth of fruit. Of the older wines, 1998 was outstanding, fragrant, floral, with a fine future. 1995, with finesse rather than weight, was very claret-y; 1991, minty with dried herbs, was à point; 1989, emulating Bordeaux’s heat wave year, was sweet and ripe; finally 1982, a lovely wine, still full of personality.'

Coleraine '05- "The tannins are firm but fine grained, giving the wine a sleek elegance."

'A touch of garnet on colour edge indicating its beginning of secondary development. On nose the savoury, dried herb notes were complex rather than a sign of unripeness. The wine was full and powerfully structured from the extraction, but the style was one of elegance. Good fine-grained tannins contributed to the refined style. This will live another decade plus, easily.' 18.5/20

'Dark, deep ruby red with some garnet hues on edge. Fresh and bright bouquet, with beautiful aromatics. Good ripeness of fruit, with dark berries, cherry fruit and plums showing. The wine is one of elegance, lusciousness freshness and aromatic expression. Lovely cherry and raspberry Cabernet Franc fruit shows, the flavours luscious and sumptuous. Tannins are very fine, and the acidity adds to the elegance of the wine. This should age well.' 19/20

'Te Mata Coleraine '04 - for me, New Zealand, particularly Hawke’s Bay, remains with Napa the natural home of the claret lover.' ★★★★★

Coleraine '04- "A flavour depth, complexity and subtlety on the level of a top-class Bordeaux"."

'Very dark, deep, purple hued ruby red, with good heart. Fresh, ripe nose with blackcurranty Cabernet Sauvignon, dried herbs and plums with liquorice. The bouquet is tight and dense, quite concentrated, a touch shy, even. Very fine-textured on the palate, the wine is a little narrowed and lean at present, with tightness of structure showing. The fruit expression is bright and fresh, excellent currant flavours to the fore, with some earthiness complexing the wine. Good cut from the acidity. This should age well in the medium term plus.' 18/20

'Dark, deep, ruby red colour, excellent heart. Full and fat on the nose, this is rich and very complex with dark plum and berry fruit aromas with plenty of dense meaty, gamey aromas. The palate is fat and broad, with a full tannin profile. The dryness of structure gives a firmness, and there is power to the wine. Tannins are fine-textured, with the complex animal and savoury plum-berry flavours behind. The flavours are forward, secondary and showing development signs. At this stage the brett influence is at an acceptable balance, but this may probably change over the next 3-5 years. Complex, savoury and full drinking now.' 18/20

'Full, dark, deep, black-hued ruby-red with some garnet hues. This has a full and dense nose of ripe, dark red and black berried fruit along with savoury earth and game notes adding complexity and interest. Some secondary development is appearing, and this is very well integrated and harmonious. Medium-full bodied, an amalgam of black fruit, cedar and savoury game and earth, with dark herbal flavours is the feature. The flavours are enlivened by underlining acidity and very fine, silky textures to balance the fruit density and depth. The acidity and extraction provide good elegance and excellent length to the palate, with complex sweet fruit cedar and game nuances that linger. This is a well-concentrated ‘Coleraine’ with the acid verve and grip to see it develop well for another 5-6+ years easily.' 19/20 ★★★★★

'Dark, deep, ruby red with youthful purple hues. The nose is initially shy, but opens up to reveal freshness and perfumed fruit aromas of ripe blackcurrants red berries and plums. Beautifully interwoven components give complexity to the bouquet. A medium-weighted, elegant wine that is restrained at present. Lovely ripe, but fresh fruit flavours, with sweetness to the blackcurrants. The tannins are extremely fine-grained and the suppleness allows accessibility. Air time allows greater expression. Very long on the finish. The sheer elegance and balance of the wine will enable aging another decade.' 19/20

'Bright and fresh with ripe blackcurrant and plum aromas, plump with a sweetness of fruit on bouquet. Fullbodied and quite firmly structured, this has strong blackcurrant flavours, with a little herb spiciness showing the coolness of the vintage. The wine has breadth on the palate and is solid, with a robustness. The tannins are a little dominant, however, and the finish is of medium length. Drink within the first decade.' 18/20

'Medium deep ruby red colour with garnet hues, lighter on edge. Cooler nose, not quite the ripeness of fruit, this has complex animal elements to the bouquet of currants and herbs. Well-sized on the palate, this has drying tannins and good structure. The fruit is savoury, with gamey animal flavours, showing some brettanomyces influence. Though without quite the richness and sweetness of the fruit, the freshness of the acidity enlivens the palate.'

'1999 Te Mata Awatea and the 1999 Te Mata Coleraine is built to last.They are concentrated, rich serious and tannically well-endowed. They are like Old World cabernets.'

'Black red with mahogany hues on edge, this had a most complex, blossoming nose of savoury secondary complexities, almost ethereal in nature. On palate, the finegrained tannin structure was the feature. The rich flavours of savoury fruits, leather and cedar were more than sufficient to speak of the ability of this wine to age as with classic Bordeaux wines. Another decade of cellaring ahead easily.' 19/20

'Very dark, deep, black red colour, impenetrable. Great richness and power of ripe black berried fruits and plums, sweet-smelling, with sur-maturite, and a touch of portiness. The palate is the richest, sweetest and ripest expression of ‘Coleraine’ yet, the warmth and ripeness oozing in lusciously decadent, rich dark fruits and savoury, jammy nuances. The wine is luscious and plump, yet the massive tannin structure is detectable beneath the fruit layer. Still very youthful at this time and admirable for its sweetness and ripeness, though without the floral elegance that the Te Mata style is preferred to possess.' 19.5/20

'This is the legendary Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend of NZ. Aromas of mint, berry, currant and spices follow through to a full body, with a lovely creamy texture of tannins with hints of citrus, currants and dried fruits. A lovely combination of fruit, tobacco, licorice and dried flower. Lovely now. New Zealand’s Sassicaia.' 93 points

'Coleraine ‘98 placed 2nd equal out of the wines from the 1998 vintage. It was placed 5th equal overall for all wines. This was the highest rating for any New World wine. This result confi rms Coleraine’s reputation for improving with age - the hallmark of the world’s greatest wines. Coleraine ‘98 was the only New Zealand wine to be considered in the IWC’s Library Collection.' 95 points

'95 /100, a mark of outstanding achievement. Coleraine ‘98 placed 2nd equal out of the wines from the 1998 vintage. It was placed 5th equal overall for all wines. This was the highest rating for any New World wine. This result confirms Coleraine’s reputation for improving with age - the hallmark of the world’s greatest wines. Coleraine ‘98 was the only New Zealand wine to be considered in the IWC’s Library Collection.'

'Deepish ruby red, some garnet hues, not as dark as the 1996. Cooler fruited nose, a little leafiness and brackish, some smoky, toasty oak showing. Elegant, lighter-weighted wine, a little cooler in expression. The wine has some cedary-savoury elements, but the acidity gives freshness and cut. Approachable now, with no hardness, rather light, but attractively so, with good proportion. One to drink earlier.'

'The excellence of Te Mata Coleraine '97 is challenging conventional wisdom about some New Zealand regions.'

'Dark hearted ruby red with a little garnet on edge. Fresh, ripe and lush bouquet with good blackcurrant fruit aromas and savoury complexities, all in balance. On the palate the structure predominates, the tannins giving a dryness. Blackcurrant flavours with toast-like char and savoury, meaty elements from a little brett showing and adding interest and complexities. Approaching its best drinking window, but will drink well over the next 5-7 years.' 17.5/20

'Blackish hued red, with good depth, the edge a little lighter. This has a full, rich and ripe bouquet, full of sweet, blackcurrants and blackberry fruit aromas. Secondary elements showing now. Very fulsome, almost robust. A wine of power, density and concentration on the palate, with full dark fruits, robustly expressed and well-matched by the sturdy structure. Power with richness for this wine, which while lacking the refinement of the 1991, has its character from the muscular componentry. This will live another decade easily.' 19.5/20

'93 Points. Coleraine ‘95 - Red and black plum fruits dominate the palate. Soft and full-bodied and the merlot imparts a distinctive leafy edge to the finish.'

'Garnet-ruby red colour, this is lighter on edge, but with some purple hues. The bouquet shows some herbaceous aromas, green with a little sappiness to the blackcurranty fruit. The fruit aromas are generally primary and quite fresh still. On the palate, this shows better ripeness than the bouquet. Riper currant flavours, with good richness allied to the freshness and acidity. Fine-grained tannins give good supporting structure. An elegant wine overall, and attractively classical in the Bordeaux-style. ' 17.5/20

'Dark, deep, garnet-red with bricking to the colour. The bouquet is very fine and elegant with subtle and intricate, detailed nuances of black berries fruits, ethereal red fruits and florals providing aromatic lift, along with integrated savoury dried herb, game, earth and cedary notes. Very much secondary in character with tertiary aromas showing. Medium-full bodied, this is slender and elegant in flavour profile, but with a firm and concentrated core and line. Ripeness is clear, with sweet, black fruit flavours at the heart. The palate reveals complex and notes of dried dark herbs, cedar, meat and earth. The tannins are still evident and build to become prevalent through mid-palate and finish, and carry the sweet and succulent forest-infused flavours along a lingering, textured finish.' 19/20 ★★★★★

'Very dark, deep, black hued red colour, almost impenetrable. Great purity and intensity on the nose. This has powerful, but refined blackcurrant fruit that opens out in the glass with sweetness and ripeness and finesse. On the palate, powerfully intense and concentrated, the pure refined fruit expression is the highlight. Blackcurrants, cedarwood, blackberries, rich, dense and layered. The wine is still tightly bound, with beautifully fine-grained tannins, providing a supple, but firm backbone and great length. Great proportion, this is pretty well perfect, and will live another decade easily.' 20/20

'Garnet hued red with depth to the colour, though a touch of light bricking on edge. Reasonably rich and full nose, showing some complex savoury aromas, a little funky, animal-like brettanomyces, but all part of the whole. Fullish bodied with breadth to the body. Ripe dark fruit flavours, quite openly structured, but the tannin firmness is still present. There is good concentration and depth in a robust way. The meaty, gamey elements are beginning to come to the fore. Not quite as fresh as the 1989, however, but there is interest and ripeness with size here.' 18/20

'Deepish garnet red colour, a little lighter on edge, some youthful hues. Soft, fine and integrated bouquet, this is gentle and harmonious with balance and lovely fragrance. This is quite elegant on palate, with luscious and lively fresh blackcurrant flavours and soft chocolate notes. The good, balanced extraction provides supple grip and backbone, and along with the acidity gives good cut to the flavours. Well- concentrated, and attractive for its elegance. ' 18/20

'Very light colour, garnet hued with brick and mahogany. Very light bouquet, with cool, sappy and green fruit aromas, fully developed with mature cedary notes. On palate, this is green and sappy, showing unripe elements in the flavours. The wine is loose-knit and the acidity is prominent. However, there is still grip from the tannins, and while not particularly rich or concentrated, the wine has presence and length, carried a little by the acidity. The wine is still fresh and lively.'

'Deepish garnet red colour with a little mahogany and bricking. Powerful nose, somewhat cool, brackish and raw. The blackcurrant fruit aromas have depth, however. Quite robust on the palate, this still shows structure and tannin grip. Still plenty of life here.'

'Lighter, fading colour with bricky hues, lighter on edge. Less, ripe, cooler expression in bouquet, somewhat sappy and lacking. On the palate, the greener fruit character has come to the fore, sappy, curranty and cedar notes show, the palate is fading. Quite integrated and tannins resolved.'

'Deepish garnet red colour with good heart, some youthful hues. Elegant, smaller-scale nose, this still has freshness of blackcurranty fruit and cedarwood. The expression is a touch cool, but this has perfume. Elegant on palate, this is still very fresh and lively. The proportion and balance are excellent, the tannins fine and giving good grip and structure. This has plenty of time to go.' 18.5 /20

Coleraine '85- 'In a roll call of great New Zealand wineries- “great” meaning history, pedigree, quality, consistency and that elusive X-factor – Te Mata Estate in Havelock North would certainly be included. I fell in love with local wines after visiting the winery in the mid-80’s and tasting the 1985 Te Mata Coleraine. It was the first time I had ever purchased a case of a single wine and it was like no other New Zealand red wine I was familiar with. It danced where others meandered. It sang where others shouted and it soared where others had merely flown. It was elegant and subtle but with enough structure and flavour to be appealing.'

'Lighter edged garnet red with bricking. Not as youthful in appearance as the previous two wines. Fullish, aromatic nose with breadth, a little weedy and brackish in its expression, with a sour edge to the bouquet. Elegantly sized, this shows cooler, leafy, blackcurrant Cabernet Sauvignon fruit flavours. Softened, loose-knit, easy and mellowed out.'

'Darkish, red, still some ruby hues, good depth, still relatively youthful in colour. Powerful, and dense nose with dark, ripe fruit aromas, intense and concentrated on bouquet. Powerful and full on palate, this shows a robust, almost rustic element in the make up. Tannins provide good structure and grip, and the wine displays sweetness on the back palate. Based on this showing, the wine is in good condition and its balance will allow it to hold for some time yet.' 18.5/20

'Dry spring and warm weather until late March. Heavy rain and strong winds in early April, but very clean crops. Vintage heat summation: 1457 Growing Degree Days. Fruit solely from John and Wendy Buck’s home ‘Coleraine’ vineyard. Deepish ruby red colour with garnet hues. This has a fine, concentrated nose, identifiably blackcurranty Cabernet Sauvignon, some volatility adding lift to the perfumes, liquorice, tobacco and cedar on bouquet adding mature complexities. Drying a little now, on palate, refined cedar notes, quite elegant in style, there is some volatility showing. Tannins are finegrained, and add to the dryness of expression. This has aged with grace, and remaining bottles should be consumed.'