2023 Te Mata Awatea Cabernet Merlot

Awatea has long been known as the “little brother” to Te Mata’s legendary Coleraine, but it’s really a serious wine in its own right, and some of the smartest buying in New Zealand wine. 

First made back in the early 1980s, it’s a blend built around Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (with a bit of Franc usually in the mix), and every vintage shows just how well these Bordeaux varieties thrive in Hawke’s Bay.

The 2023 release comes off a strong vintage, with steady ripening through summer giving fruit that was both ripe and balanced. The winemaking sticks to the Te Mata blueprint – hand-picking, small-batch ferments and careful aging in French oak – delivering a wine that combines immediate drinkability with the structure to improve over time.

What makes Awatea special is the way it balances generosity and finesse. It’s approachable now, showing off its bright fruit and savoury edge, but has the tannin and acidity to reward a decade or more in the cellar. For those who love Coleraine but want something more affordable (and a little earlier drinking), this is the perfect fit.

96 points
"It is a magnificent wine and a tremendous value."
- Erin Larkin (The Wine Advocate)