Tasting Notes 1990
1990 Coleraine Cabernet/Merlot has a deep ruby colour, a spicy aroma comprising vanilla, ripe black cherries and blackberries and an elegant, rich palate.
1990 Coleraine Cabernet/Merlot is a blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. It will continue to develop in bottle from 9-12 years from harvest.
The wine is an ideal accompaniment to full flavoured meat dishes, hard or blue cheeses and seasoned Mediterranean foods.
Technical Analysis
pH: 3.4
Total acidity as tartaric: 6g/l
Alcohol: 12%
Residual sugar: Dry
Winemaking
The grapes were destemmed and crushed before a warm, plunged fermentation and extended maceration on skins. After pressing and malolactic fermentation the resulting individual wines were aged in French oak barriques. The wines were periodically topped and racked over 19 months then blended and egg-white fined.
Vineyards
The grapes for this wine were hand harvested between the 6th and 27th April.
Origin
Coleraine derives its name from the Coleraine vineyard, home of John and Wendy Buck of Te Mata Estate. John’s late grandfather came from Coleraine in Northern Ireland and the name has been maintained through the family properties to the wine. Originally a single vineyard wine, from 1989 Coleraine has been an assemblage of the finest wines produced from distinct plots within Te Mata Estate’s oldest vineyards on the Havelock Hills.
‘A national treasure. A benchmark, with a remarkable track record for age-worthiness. Consistently high quality and style have been hallmarks since day one.’Linda Murphy, jancisrobinson.com. October 2018 All Reviews
