Te Mata 'Awatea' Cabernet Merlot 2022

The 2022 Awatea Cabernets Merlot is floral and layered with cassis and raspberry, chalk and tobacco, paprika dolce and pink peppercorns. This is modern claret at its finest, and I find it to be beguiling in that way. It's softer and a little less structural than the 2021 but with so much cushioning and fruit. The tannins are firm through the finish, and I feel that balances the sweet fruit well. Yes. Drink 2024-2042. 95 Points. Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate.

Here's we have 44% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 14% Cabernet Franc. I asked which Merlot clone they have in the ground at Te Mata, and it's Entav, which is one of the better ones.

Boysenberry, dusty spice, floral aromatics, tobacco, leaf and mint. Medium-bodied, powdery tannin, very 'mineral' acidity, bright but sitting in the wine well, raspberry and plum, complex and chalky firm on a long finish, a little seaweed in the mix. Crisp. Very fine wine. Needs a few more years in bottle. Drink 2025-2035. 94+ points. Gary Walsh, The Wine Front.