Te Mata Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc 2022
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.
Cape Crest and its gannet symbol refer to Cape Kidnappers, the southern point of Hawke Bay, home to the world’s largest mainland colony of these remarkable marine birds.
The fully ripe grapes for Cape Crest were hand harvested from individual plots within Te Mata Estate’s vineyards. The separate parcels were each destemmed and lightly crushed, then cooled before a brief period of skin contact. Following pressing and cold-settling, they were run to a mixture of new and seasoned French oak barrels for fermentation. The resulting wines were aged on lees, with regular stirring, for a further 11 months before bottling. Cape Crest is a blend of 88% sauvignon blanc, 7% sauvignon gris and 5% semillon.
Radiating a mesmerizing white-gold hue adorned with shimmering green lights, Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc ’22 bursts with its signature perfume – vibrant concentrated nectarine, grapefruit and lime zest with lemongrass, guava and subtle toast notes. The attack broadens into ripe stone fruit and herbal seasoning, developing remarkable richness across the length of the palate. A balanced weight and crystalline acidity add to the immense fruit concentration and long savoury, saline finish. An embodiment of excellence. Is this the best Cape Crest yet? Certainly, it’s the most complex and complete.
Light yellow hue leads into a powerful bouquet of nutty, spicy barrel-fermented aromas well meshed with ripe sauvignon fruit aromas, the palate likewise intense and long, with great volume and concentration as well as wonderful focus. A top barrel fermented style of savvy. - Huon Hooke, The Real Review, 96 Points
The Finer Details
Style - White Wine
Varietal - Sauvignon Blanc 88%, Sauvignon Gris 7%, Semillon 5%
Country - New Zealand
Region - Hawke's Bay
Vintage - 2021
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13%