TE MATA AWATEA CABERNET/MERLOT 2018

For over 125 years, Te Mata Estate has been crafting world-class wines from its Hawke s Bay vineyards. Located on New Zealand s North Island, Hawke s Bay boasts diverse terrain and a maritime climate, ideal for nurturing exceptional grapes. Te Mata Estate meticulously cultivates its vines across four sub-regions, each contributing unique characteristics to the final wines. This dedication to quality and meticulous viticulture has positioned Te Mata Estate as a leader in New Zealand winemaking. Te Mata Estate s Awatea 2018 is a classic Hawke s Bay Cabernet/Merlot blend, named after the historic ship SS Awatea. Hand-harvested from the Havelock Hills and Gimblett Gravels sub-regions between March 25 and April 20, 2018, the grapes underwent a traditional warm, plunged fermentation and extended maceration on skins. The wine was aged in new and seasoned French oak barrels for 16 months, blended in January 2019, and returned to barrel for a second winter before bottling in October 2019. The final blend consists of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, and 15% Cabernet Franc. Awatea 2018 offers a deep, ruby-red color and a fragrant bouquet of ripe blackberry, plum, and cassis, with underlying floral notes of lavender and thyme. The palate is rich and supple, with refined tannins and a lingering finish. This elegant wine is a true expression of the Hawke s Bay terroir and showcases the skillful winemaking of Te Mata Estate.