Te Mata Awatea Cabernet Merlot 2023 13.5% 750ml

Te Mata Awatea Cabernet Merlot 2023 13.5% 750ml

Tasting Notes

Appearance
With a gleaming crimson core and ruby rim.

Aroma
Awatea Cabernets/Merlot ’23 is enticingly perfumed with blackberry, bay, violets, and vanilla.

Winemakers comments
First made in 1982, awatea continues to represent the best of the classic hawke’s bay cabernet/merlot blend. Awatea takes its name from the historic ship SS Awatea (a Maori word meaning ‘Eye of the Dawn’) that sailed the Auckland – Sydney – Wellington route in the late 1930s. The Awatea was requisitioned as troop transport in WWII and was sunk off Algeria in 1942.

Cellaring potential
Awatea Cabernets/Merlot ’23 is closed with a Diam cork, allowing continued evolution in bottle for 10 years from harvest.

Vinification
The separate parcels of grapes were destemmed before a traditional warm-plunged fermentation and extended maceration on skins. The resulting wines were then run to new and seasoned French oak barrels for 15 months. Throughout this time, they were regularly topped and racked. The separate wines were blended in October 2023, then returned to barrel for their second winter. The finished wine was then egg white fined and bottled in November 2024.

Maturation
French oak barrels for 15 months

Grape variety
33% Cabernet, 52% Merlot, 15% Cabernet FrancPH
3.70

Acidity
5.4g/L

Expert Reviews

James Suckling

94 Pointsout of 100.
A juicy and delicious red with plums, dark cherries and blackcurrants as well as fresh flowers. Medium-bodied, it has a lovely, creamy texture and a savory finish. Hints of dried oranges and blossoms. Soft and crunchy finish. 52% merlot, 33% cabernet sauvignon and 15% cabernet franc. Drink or hold.

jamessuckling.com12 June 2025