Te Mata Estate Winery, Coleraine, Hawke's Bay, 2005

Containing the highest ever proportion of Cabernet Franc (19%), the character of the 2005 was created with a cold-snap at fruit set which ‘locked in’ the fruit flavours. Showing an intense deep purple core, there is a beautiful leafy character with youthful dark currant notes and subtle, integrated oak. Elegance, concentration and power are all evident in this sleek thoroughbred. One of the two standout Coleraine’s and a very complete wine now.

2005 was an exceptional vintage with three months of hot, dry weather, with rain on 17 March which delayed picking for one week. It yielded the smallest berries on record and Te Mata’s longest harvest to date. The wine is rich, ripe and concentrated, with berry and plum flavours accompanied by an appealing floral violet lift. Merlot is the dominant variety for a change, but the wine clearly shows cedar and cassis Cabernet characters. A complex, elegant red.