Te Mata Awatea Cabernet Merlot 2023 from Te Mata Estate in Hawke’s Bay is a thrilling, classical Bordeaux‑style blend, shimmering deep crimson in the glass and leaping out with blackcurrant, boysenberry, blackberry and plum woven through cedar, cocoa and a gentle marine breeze that screams coastal Hawke’s Bay pedigree. It’s the little sibling to Coleraine, but in 2023 Awatea feels incredibly complete and seductive in its own right, with that trademark Te Mata poise and polish.

On the palate, Te Mata Awatea Cabernet Merlot 2023 layers ripe cassis, raspberry, dark plum and boysenberry with hints of tobacco leaf, bay, anise, pencil shavings and dark chocolate, all carried by fine, powdery tannins and bright, mouth‑watering acidity. Medium‑bodied yet intense, it’s both succulent and structured, delivering serious depth, freshness and a long, dry, cocoa‑tinged finish that will age gracefully while already absolutely delicious in a big glass now.

At the table, this Awatea Cabernet Merlot 2023 is a natural with roast lamb, rib‑eye, sirloin roast, venison, hard cheeses or a slow‑braised beef ragù. It also shines with grilled portobello mushrooms, lentil and mushroom shepherd’s pie or a slab of aged cheddar, making it a versatile, premium Hawke’s Bay claret‑style that massively over‑delivers for the money and absolutely deserves a spot in the cellar and on the dinner table.