Te Mata Estate
Te Mata Estate Bullnose Syrah Hawkes Bay four vintages tasting
A unique opportunity to taste through four vintages of the Te Mata Bullnose took place at the Northern Club in Auckland on October 21st, 2019. Thank you Te Mata Estate and Eurovintage.
Planted in 1990 around the Bridge Pa Triangle - first planted with a Mass-selection/Alan Limmer clone which eventually became known as the Bullnose clone. Now also planted with new clones the vineyard is well suited to Syrah.
Te Mata Estate Bullnose Syrah 1992 (First release)
No mistaking the colour and hues reflect a wine with bottle age - garnets and orange, some browning, however… a complex, if not beguiling bouquet of aged Syrah with aromas of aged meats and leather, a soft pepper and savoury core then dried berry and plum suggestions. Some old baking spices and oak then layer in. Calm and well integrated on the palate with flavours that reflect the nose. Still has an acid line and lengthy finish. A delight to taste. 97 points
Te Mata Estate Bullnose Syrah 2014
Great colour and intensity of hue. Power and intensity on the nose, youthful with a core of fruit and peppery spices. Sweet meats, black currant, raspberry and dark forest berries, a touch of chocolate then dark spices. Very youthful grabbing the palate quickly. Flavours match the nose with dark berries, flowers, and spices. Firm tannins, big acid line - but not too much, lengthy finish. Young, needs time, delicious!
96 Points
Te Mata Estate Bullnose Syrah 2015
A very expressive bouquet, floral, almost sweet flowers, earthy and mineral - dry stones then dark cherry and black currant, quite peppery, fresh and varietal. Firm and dry on the palate, yong. No mistaking the line of acidity and firm yet ripe tannins and structure. Quite a lengthy finish, youthful, a keeper till 2028.
94 Points
Te Mata Estate Bullnose Syrah 2016
Quite intensely fruity then a layer of spice and oak emerges showing both pepper and baking spices, smoke and dry stone, violets, blackcurrant, dark raspberry and five spice. Dry and very youthful on the palate with an intense, warm and salivating palate. No mistaking the tannins, spice and backbone of acidity. Long youthful finish. Should be in the cellar till at least 2024 before trying again.
95 points
Te Mata Estate Bullnose Syrah 2018
A great bouquet, fine nose of Syrah with white and black peppercorn, roses and lavender, a core of red currants, black cherry and Doris plum, some sweet olive and new leather. Firm, youthful and dry with an abundance of tannins and acidity As the wine relaxes (a little) the future looks set - cellar still please, this wine needs time (2024/2026 then try again. Mostly about energy and intensity, salivating structure, great finish, long, complex.
96 Points