Te Mata Estate Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc

We all know that it’s Marlborough that flies the flag on the international scene for New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. But Te Mata Estate’s Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc from the Hawke’s Bay has been getting wine buffs in every corner of the globe giddy with excitement upon its release every year since its first vintage in 1984.

Other wines in the Te Mata get the headlines (like Coleraine, Awatea, Elston) but Cape Crest really does fly under the radar a wee bit. This is the latest 2023 vintage and despite a challenging vintage they’ve yet again produced a Cape Crest of first class quality…

96/100 (Sam Kim)
“Brilliantly expressed.. finely focused palate is both pristine and complex.. finishing impressively long with fabulous vibrancy and harmony.”

96/100 (Erin Larken, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate) 
“Leads with pressed linen and Golden Delicious apples, white pepper, shaved fennel and a profusion of preserved citrus rind, which elevates the wine into the echelon of the great. This is a 360-degree drinking experience here. Excellent. This is one of the best Cape Crest releases.”

4 1/2 Stars (Michael Cooper, NZ Listener)
“In style this oak aged wine resembles the white wines of Bordeaux (based on sauvignon blanc and semillon) far more than Marlborough sauvignon blanc. A distinctive, full bodied wine, it ihas strong, vigorous, passionfruit like flavours, some citrusy, appley notes, good complexity and a crisp, dry long finish.”

This world famous label is 97% Sauvignon Blanc, 2% Semillon and a 1% splash of Sauvignon Gris, barrel fermented in new and seasoned French oak. It’s certainly a little bit different, it’s certainly very delicious! It’s loaded to the gunnels with an army of tropical fruit flavours like passionfruit, gooseberry, white nectarine, kaffir lime.

Like most Sauvignon this can be enjoyed young and fresh and best served chilled. But don’t be shy to throw a couple of bottles in the cellar, it should evolve nicely between 3-5 years from vintage.