NZ-Wide 
NZ-Wide
Free Shipping
Buy OnlineFar from being in the shadow of Coleraine, Te Mata Awatea is a superb wine in its own right. A New Zealand classic that has the win win of being wonderfully perfumed and delicious in its youth but also carries ability to age gracefully for over a decade, not to mention the more modest price tag making it excellent value.
Winery notes (2022 Vintage)
"A deep ‘guardsmen red’, Awatea Cabernets/Merlot ’22 captivates with its nose of blackberry and bay leaf, ripe red currants, and sea spray to instantly engage the senses. On the palate this interplay of red and dark fruit continues with roses, chocolate and black olive with vanilla, cedar and a faint menthol character, layered over a core of perfectly ripe Black Doris plum. Moreish acidity brightens the wine, lifting the classical varietal elements of Awatea Cabernets/Merlot ’22 and its fine, powdery, tannin profile. This is a wine of balance, length and appeal, with the clear ability to evolve even further in bottle."
96/100 Erin Larkin, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Januray 2025 (2023 Vintage)
"This wine is thrilling: dusty cassis, bramble, raspberry pip, blood/iodine, sweet tobacco, raw cocoa, violet perfume, tarragon and fennel and a hint of hazelnut/nutmeg. This will evolve beautifully in bottle. I love it. It is a magnificent wine and a tremendous value."
94/100 Gary Walsh, The Wine Front, December 2024 (2023 Vintage)
"Plum, raspberry, boysenberry, a slight Cab Franc and/or vintage grassiness, nutty and pencilly, with some floral notes, aniseed and spice. Medium-bodied, bramble fruit (fresh raspberry in particular), some ripe tomato tang, tobacco, a bit of grainy chew to tannin, but the line of acidity is so lovely and crisp – rain-washed and fresh – offering a distinct ‘mineral’ character. Length is excellent. It’s understated, with a classic feel, a sort of bright ‘luncheon claret thing happening, or so I think. It has perfume and presence. So while it’s a somewhat different expression of Awatea, I still like it very much. In summary, it’s a lovely wine to drink."
