🍷 Appearance
Pure crimson red with a bright ruby-purple edge. Youthful and vibrant in the glass, showing excellent depth and clarity.
👃 Aromas
Wonderfully aromatic and complex, revealing red and black plums, ripe blackberry and wild berries layered with dried herbs, cedar and gentle spice.
👅 Palate
Soft, generous and beautifully balanced, delivering ripe raspberry, dark plum and blackcurrant flavours with touches of cocoa, savoury herbs and subtle oak. Fine acidity keeps the fruit fresh and lively.
🍈 Texture & Finish
Mid-weight and supple with fine, powdery tannins providing gentle structure. The finish is long and satisfying, leaving lingering notes of plum, dark berries, spice and savoury complexity.
🍇 Overall Style
A polished Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet blend combining generous dark fruit, savoury complexity and approachable structure. Refined and immediately enjoyable, with enough depth and balance to develop further with careful cellaring.
🍽️ Food Pairing
Perfect with roast lamb, grilled beef, slow-cooked short ribs, mushroom risotto, herb-roasted chicken, rich pasta dishes and mature cheeses.
⭐ BBD Verdict
Te Mata Estate Vineyards Merlot Cabernet 2023 is a stylish and dependable Hawke’s Bay red offering ripe fruit, fine tannins and excellent drinkability. A beautifully balanced wine that delivers impressive quality and regional character.
Cheers
Peter Turnbull
Better Buy The Dozen 🍷
