Established in 1896, Te Mata Estate remains family owned, producing internationally recognized wines exclusively from its Hawke's Bay vineyards. The Estate's ownership varied frequently until John and Wendy Buck acquired it in 1978. John and Wendy instigated a twenty-year development program, which commenced with the restoration of the original winery building and the replanting of all of the original vineyards, as well as the acquisition of new vineyard sites.

Te Mata winery has been ranked 'Top Winery in New Zealand' evidenced by the consistent quality of the Coleraine and Awatea Cabernet Merlot wines, the Bull Nose Syrah and the Elston Chardonnay.

Redcurrant and creme de cassis aromas. Roses. So aromatic. Stones. Oyster and mussel shell. Ink pot. Lead pencil shavings. Full-bodied but very tight and focused. Linear and long with fine, powdery and chewy tannins. Crushed velvet texture. 56% cabernet sauvignon, 32% merlot, and 12% cabernet franc. More franc than normal in the blend. Terrific length. Drink: Try after 2028; Rated: 98 Points; James Suckling

Dark and intense, lots of perfume, red and black fruits, tobacco, a leafy pop that’s pure varietal class, creamy oak, lead pencils, aniseed and spice. Medium to full-bodied, a flood of flavour, super ‘mineral’ feel to the acidity, tannin is superb, and the finish is so long. Light but so dense. There’s a fresh raspberry juiciness here too, and an extra dimension of tension and energy. All the graphite and presence. Incredible wine. Alcohol: 14%; Price: $160; Closure: Cork; Drink: 2026-2045+; Rated: 97+ Points; Gary Walsh; The Wine Front

Very deep bright purple colour; the bouquet shows similar mulberry, blackcurrant and raspberry fruit aromas as the Awatea but the wine is more concentrated all-round and shows a little more oak. There are violet notes and a sprinkle of spices including nutmeg too. The tannins are more persuasive and mouth-coating also, and the length is prodigious. A smashing cabernet blend, and a top vintage for this wine. Drink: 2025 to 2041; Price: $160; Alcohol: 14%; Rating: 97 Points; Huon Hooke; The Real Review