2018 Coleraine
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Tasting notes
The 2018 Coleraine is supple and silky. A cavalcade of red and brown notes tumbles forth across the palate, with pomegranate molasses, nutmeg, layers of cassis, bramble, mahogany and raspberry seed. The wine is incredibly fresh, and it's starting to offer notes of attractive development, albeit at a very slow pace. This 2018 today is the window into both youth and evolution; we can see where it started, in its fete of vibrant youth and energy, but we can also see where it is going, and both views offer pleasure. This is a superb wine. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
Critic scores
Average Score
Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous
Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
After a tricky 2017 vintage in Hawke's Bay, Coleraine is back on form in 2018: the warm growing season and lengthy autumn allowed the team at Te Mata the luxury of picking long into April. This is packed with youthful vitality and primary fruit. There is layer upon layer of flavor here, from sweet raspberry fruit on entry through cassis, cocoa and roses with tea leaf and pencil lead on the lengthy conclusion. It is delicate but there's always an innate intensity within its silken core. The tannins are fine-grained and resolved, and the finish is long and drawn out. Another smash hit that will easily improve over the coming two decades. The final blend is 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc; the wines spent 17 months maturing in French oak.