This vintage of Te Mata's top red bottling is still finding its way, but it shows plenty of prettiness and elegance amidst power, and promises a long life. The nose is a heady concoction of red fruit, cloves, vanilla, graphite and sappy, slightly soapy oak notes. Fruit on the palate feels a touch confected and flat, but the quiet grip of grainy tannins keeps things balanced and steers away from syrup territory. It is one to stash in the cellar and forget about for a few years. Drink 2021–2034 at least.
This vintage of Te Mata's top red bottling is still finding its way, but it shows plenty of prettiness and elegance amidst power, and promises a long life. The nose is a heady concoction of red fruit, cloves, vanilla, graphite and sappy, slightly soapy oak notes. Fruit on the palate feels a touch confected and flat, but the quiet grip of grainy tannins keeps things balanced and steers away from syrup territory. It is one to stash in the cellar and forget about for a few years. Drink 2021–2034 at least.
This vintage of Te Mata's top red bottling is still finding its way, but it shows plenty of prettiness and elegance amidst power, and promises a long life. The nose is a heady concoction of red fruit, cloves, vanilla, graphite and sappy, slightly soapy oak notes. Fruit on the palate feels a touch confected and flat, but the quiet grip of grainy tannins keeps things balanced and steers away from syrup territory. It is one to stash in the cellar and forget about for a few years. Drink 2021–2034 at least.