Positioned below its Coleraine stablemate in Te Mata's hierarchy of Hawke's Bay, claret-style reds, Awatea is grown at Havelock North and in the Bullnose Vineyard, inland from Hastings. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, it is hand-harvested and matured for 15 to 18 months in French oak barriques (partly new). Compared to Coleraine, in its youth Awatea is more seductive, more perfumed, and tastes more of sweet, ripe fruit, but it is more forward and slightly less concentrated. The wine can mature gracefully for many years, but is also typically delicious in its youth. The 2020 vintage (5*) is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (54 per cent), Merlot (34 per cent) and Cabernet Franc (12 per cent). Offering top value, it is deeply coloured, highly fragrant and mouthfilling, with concentrated, ripe flavours of blackcurrants, plums, herbs and spices, finely integrated oak, and a tightly structured, persistent finish. Still very youthful, it should be at its best 2025+.
Details
Type: Red Wines
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet-predominant blends
Vintage: 2020
Overall Rating for All Vintages Tasted: ★★★★★ – 5 Stars
Price: $40 NZD
Sweetness: DRY
Value for Money: AV
This wine is a Super Classic.
When to drink: 2025
Past Vintages:
Vintage: 2018; Winemaker’s Rating: 7/7; When to Drink: 20 – 28
Vintage: 2017; Winemaker’s Rating: 6/7; When to Drink: 20 – 27
Vintage: 2016; Winemaker’s Rating: 7/7; When to Drink: 20 – 26
Vintage: 2015; Winemaker’s Rating: 7/7; When to Drink: 20 – 25
Vintage: 2014; Winemaker’s Rating: 6/7; When to Drink: 20 – 25
Vintage: 2013; Winemaker’s Rating: 7/7; When to Drink: 20 – 23
Vintage: 2012; Winemaker’s Rating: 6/7; When to Drink: P – P
Vintage: 2011; Winemaker’s Rating: 7/7; When to Drink: P – P
Vintage: 2010; Winemaker’s Rating: 7/7; When to Drink: P – P
Notes: WR provided by wineries. P = Peaked.
Reviewed June 2022