Description
The flagship wine of our Waiheke Island vineyard, Te Motu is a Cabernet Sauvignon dominant blend with Merlot and Franc, hand harvested from low-yielding vines.
The wine enjoys extended élevage and maturing in premium French oak before beginning a minimum 3 year term resting in bottle. On release, the wine shows elegance, complexity and firm yet supple tannins – the hallmarks of its longevity – and will continue to reward cellaring.
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Our first taste:
A medium plus garnet hue leads to a pronounced nose of dark cherry, rhubarb and blackberry. The fresh primary fruits intertwine with savoury leather and cedar notes adding complexity.
Dark cherry chocolate jumps out on the palate with hints of bramble fruits layered underneath. Savoury leather and fresh tobacco build layers to the soft elegant mouthfeel. The balance of fresh acidity and chalky tannins adds juiciness pulling together a wonderfully balanced wine that lingers long into each sip.
96 points Bob Campbell, MW
A cabernet sauvignon-dominant blend with merlot and franc from a very good vintage. Supple, elegant red with seductively sweet cassis and raspberry fruit flavours, plus a seasoning of subtle herbs, spice and classy oak. A fine-grained wine that’s approachable now but has a reputation for ageing well 27 JUN 2019
“Fresh red fruits, tomato leaf, violets and cedar on the nose. Blueberry, grapefruit and a touch of clove and mocha mingle with flavours on the palate. Extremely complex for a young claret style. Well balanced supple tannins with fresh acidity. Drinking extremely well at this time, but will improve until 2028. Decant before serving if drinking before 2025. If only there were more New Zealand Cabernet blends like this? Such charm, elegance and harmony.” – Sam Harrop MW June 2019
