te mata bullnose syrah 2019

te mata estate was originally part of te mata station, a large pastoral land-holding established by english immigrant, john chambers, in 1854. a homestead and stables were built on the property in the early 1870’s. after returning from france, john chamber’s third son, bernard, had the idea to plant vineyards on the north-facing hills around havelock north. in 1892, bernard chambers planted vines on three parcels of hillside land above the homestead and began converting the original stables to ferment and mature these first te mata estate wines. today, te mata estate still uses those same three vineyards. the chambers family sold the property in 1919. te mata vineyards (tmv) was established and the property had two other owners until it was acquired by the buck and morris families in 1974 – the two families behind the modern interpretation of this historic new zealand estate. te mata bullnose syrah 2019 is deep, dark, almost opaque ruby-red in color. the aromas are restrained with brambly dark-fruit. the palate is rich, rounded & gamey with plentiful black-fruit (dark cherries) & an intense, black-licorice core. the finish is tightly structured & still quite closed-up. alcohol is just a touch warming & fresh acidity lifts the fruit to give the finish nice length.