Te Mata Estate Coleraine
Brilliant magenta, Coleraine '16 entices with concentrated rose syrup, fresh, fragrant raspberry, wild strawberry, ripe plum, thyme and cedar. Offering superb depth and complexity, Coleraine '16 is defined by a precise, lazer-edge of pure, bright, red fruit. Framed by tight acid and silky tannins, all this extends elegantly into an exquisite and super-fine crescendo, giving exceptional length and finesse to the wine. Each parcel of grapes was destemmed before a traditional warm, plunged fermentation and extended maceration on skins. The resulting wines were then run to predominately new French oak barrels for 18 months' maturation. Throughout this time, they were regularly topped and racked. The separate wines were blended in January 2017 then egg white fined during their second winter in barrel. The finished wine was then bottled in December 2017. The final blend is 51% cabernet sauvignon, 47% merlot and 2% cabernet franc. Established in 1896, Te Mata Estate remains family owned, producing internationally recognized wines exclusively from its Hawkes Bay vineyards. A temperate maritime climate with low rainfall, due to the rain shadow from mountains to the west, ensures Te Matas sites make the most of every vintage. At the heart of Te Mata Estate are the Havelock Hills Vineyards - the first legally-protected vineyards in New Zealand. Te Mata has five sites on these free draining, north-facing slopes. Soils to the east are mostly sandy loam over a sandstone base, and towards the west are sandy loam over a thin layer of clay and a silica pan. The distinctive shape of the hills is due to their comparative youth, in geological terms. At the meeting point of two tectonic plates, sandstone has been pushed up then worn away relatively quickly leaving a landscape of steep and gentle slopes, and terraces ideal for grape-growing. Under vine for over 120 years, and including some of the oldest grape growing sites in New Zealand, the Havelock Hills are protected for their distinct character, special ambience and unique viticultural heritage.
Domaine A Cabernet Sauvignon
This wine is the flagship of Domaine A and is only produced in vintages of exceptionally high standard. The bouquet shows classic Cabernet varietal aromas and the palate is long and concentrated.
Hardy's 165th Anniversary Cabernet Shiraz,
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
"Reticent. Firmly structured. Southern Margaret River across its verdant veins. Lathered in classy oak (23 months' ageing in all), this needs time to liberate itself from its structural carapace. The intensity, however, cannot be denied. Cassis, dried sage, plum and a herbal potpourri mingle within. The sappy length and emerging layers with time in the glass, all bode for a bright future ahead...93 points" (Halliday)
Chateau Phelan-Segur
Woodlands Margaret Cabernet Merlot
The Woodlands Margaret is, true to its name, a realisation of all that is great about Margaret River, arguably Australias home of the Bordeaux style. Sourced from the Woodlands Vineyards in Wilyabrup this is a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and 8% Malbec. Considering the price of the Watson familys flagship, the Margaret offers truly outstanding value.
Domaine Les Pallieres Les Racines Gigondas
Les Racines', a cuvée made with grapes from the estate's oldest vines, has the velvet, depth and harmony that defines old grenache when cultivated in refined terroirs. It has very high ageing potential, as balance is the main factor.
L'EXUBERANCE ROSE DU Clos Cantenac Rose
Bordeaux rosé, typically over 90% Merlot, with small proportions of the Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon. Pale yet vibrant pink right to the rim with a nose of savoury red fruits, elegant and with an attractive leafy note, leading to a creamy, textural palate of fresh red fruits, lightly spiced and with refreshing acidity leading into a long finish with a hint of redcurrant. Ideally, drink within two years of vintage.
Benjamin Leroux Bourgogne Rouge
Elderton Ashmead Single Vineyard Cabernet
Like the Command block, which is an amazing resource to the Elderton Estate, the Ashmead block has consistently produced small parcels of excellent quality fruit. The vineyard was almost destroyed in 1997 to make way for higher yielding vines, however the family made the decision to promote the vineyard to a higher destiny thus the Ashmead.