Tasting Notes 2005
Coleraine ‘05 has a saturated magenta colour and aromas of blackcurrants, very ripe cherries and marzipan. Perfectly ripe and floral, it shows flavours of brambly blackcurrants and dark cherry syrup with hints of rosemary. The palate is powerful and very elegant with fine grained tannins leading to a long, firm finish.
Coleraine ‘05 is a blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc and 37% Merlot. We believe this 2005 vintage to be the fi nest Coleraine yet produced. Based on experience with earlier vintages, it will continue to develop in bottle and provide great enjoyment between 8-20 years from harvest.
Technical Analysis
pH: 3.49
Total acidity as tartaric: 5.9g/l
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual sugar: Dry
Winemaking
The separate parcels of grapes were destemmed before a traditional warm, plunged fermentation and extended maceration on skins. The resulting wines were then run into a mixture of new and seasoned barrels for 20 months’ ageing. Throughout this time they were regularly topped and racked. The separate wines were blended in January 2006 then egg white fined during the second winter in barrel. The finished wine was then bottled in January 2007.
Vineyards
The grapes for Coleraine ‘05 were hand harvested between 7 and 22 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.
