2022 Te Mata Coleraine Cabernet Merlot, Hawkes Bay

Deep, brooding purple-red colour with a concentrated berry fruit bouquet laced with cedar, violets and dried herbs, gorgeous fruit and classy oak embellishment. The wine is full bodied and powerful, with a generous serving of fine grained tannins that add length, authority and a drying but supple finish. Tremendous persistence and wonderful structure. A great wine, that will richly reward long-term cellaring. 09 JAN 2024 Drink 2026–2044

99 points Huon Hooke therealreview.com

The 2022 Coleraine is laden at this stage with the outrageous attractiveness of youth. I mean, it's irresistible. There's raspberry, nori, rose petals, coffee grounds, star anise, salted licorice, sun-dried kelp/nori, warm pine (I know this smell because I was hiking around the Te Mata peak yesterday, and there was a fallen pine tree lying in the sun, and it smelled great) and layers of peppercorns. In the mouth, the wine is so fresh, so alive, with so much energy, but it already is showing the svelte line of this house, this place. With a hint of raw cocoa laced through the finish, I'm sad to push this glass away. It will be the last time that I taste it for a while. A ripper. Excellent. This is composed of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc. "The highlight of vintage 2022 was the Cabernet Sauvignon components," says winemaker Phil Brodie (here at Te Mata for 31 vintages). For the fans playing at home, wondering whether or not there will be a 2023 Coleraine, I have good news, friends—there will be. Having spent two hours in the vineyards prior to this tasting, the level of detail and viticultural care fills me with comfort and confidence, even more than I already had. It's great. These older vineyards are looked after to absurd detail. Every 1% pays off, and that is the defining difference between a good estate and a great one.

97+ points Erin Larkin robertparker.com

Oak is a little obvious but it is attractive oak and should integrate into the wine in time (it was bottled six weeks before tasting). Cassis, cedar, floral and tobacco flavours are evident. Youthful wine that clearly needs time. Elegant red that seems to get better every vintage 17 JAN 2024 Drink 2024–2037

97 points Bob Campbell MW therealreview.com

A very elegant young Coleraine with lovely aromas of oyster shell, lead pencil, sweet tobacco, black currant and moss. Very perfumed and expressive. Medium-bodied with fine tannins that are polished and energetic with some citrusy acidity underneath. Some dust to the texture. This is the second highest blend of cabernet sauvignon in the history of Coleraine with 84% cabernet sauvignon, 13% merlot and the rest cabernet franc. March release. Best after 2027 and beyond.

96 points jamessuckling.com

Here's one worthy of the icon treatment. Coleraine sells itself, so the copy should reinforce its reputation rather than overstate it.

Coleraine is the wine that established Te Mata Estate as New Zealand's benchmark for Bordeaux blends. First released in 1982 and named after the historic Coleraine block on the Havelock Hills estate, it has become one of the Southern Hemisphere's most revered Cabernet Sauvignon led wines. Crafted only from the finest vineyard parcels, Coleraine is the flagship of Te Mata's portfolio, celebrated for its elegance, structure and extraordinary ability to age.

The outstanding 2022 vintage produced fruit of exceptional purity and balance, with a long growing season allowing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc to ripen beautifully while retaining freshness and precision. Meticulous vineyard selection and sensitive oak maturation have created a wine of remarkable harmony, depth and longevity, reflecting the unique character of Hawke's Bay's famed gravel soils.

Deep garnet with youthful crimson highlights, the bouquet is intensely perfumed with blackcurrant, cassis and dark plum layered with cedar, graphite, violets and subtle spice. As the wine evolves, notes of cigar box, cocoa and crushed herbs emerge, adding further complexity. The palate is seamless and beautifully proportioned, combining concentrated dark fruits with cashmere fine tannins, vibrant acidity and a finely etched mineral backbone. Powerful yet effortlessly graceful, the finish is exceptionally long, leaving lingering notes of cassis, cedar and savoury spice.

A magnificent companion for Chateaubriand, herb crusted rack of lamb, venison loin, dry aged rib eye or mature hard cheeses. While already captivating with extended decanting, this iconic New Zealand red will continue to reward collectors for decades.

Cellaring: Drink from 2028 to 2052.