Wines Hawke's Bay Te Mata Estate - Awatea - 2023

Viniou Reviews

Te Mata Estate’s Awatea 2023 from Hawke’s Bay is a classic New Zealand Bordeaux-style blend, typically featuring Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. This particular vintage honours the house’s long tradition of blending, yielding a wine that marries structure, depth, and finesse. The 2023 vintage was marked by moderate weather, allowing for optimal ripening, which is reflected in the layered nose—expect dark cherry, blackcurrant, and subtle mocha, underpinned by refined tannins and a cooling freshness. The wine is fermented in stainless steel before maturing in French oak, bringing out nuanced complexities and supporting ageing potential.

Hawke’s Bay, located on New Zealand's North Island, boasts one of the country’s warmest and sunniest climates. Proximity to the Pacific Ocean helps moderate temperatures, reducing the risk of frost while encouraging slow grape maturation. Soils in the region are notably varied, with free-draining gravels intermingled with clay and limestone patches, ideal for Bordeaux grape varieties. With over a century of viticultural history, Hawke’s Bay is recognised for its elegant, food-friendly reds distinguished by balance and vibrancy.

Pair Te Mata Estate Awatea 2023 with dishes that complement its refined power and freshness: think rack of lamb with roasted root vegetables, grilled sirloin, or slow-roasted duck with dark berry jus. Regional New Zealand cuisine such as venison with kumara or lamb with minted peas also echo the wine’s sense of place; the wine’s fruit and gentle oak beautifully echo herb-driven or mildly spiced dishes.

For optimal enjoyment, serve this wine slightly on the cool side for reds, ideally at 16-18°C. Allowing the bottle to breathe in a decanter for 30 minutes before serving will help open up its bouquet and soften the tannins. While delicious now, this wine can also reward cellaring over the next five to seven years as the structure mellows further and the fruit flavours evolve.