Te Mata Estate
Bullnose Hawkes Bay Syrah
Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand
My last bottle of the 2014 Bullnose and consistent with previous notes here on Delectable. Hawkes Bay is one of the best districts in NZ for Syrah and Cabernet. Hasn’t really evolved much from the first of 4 bottles I had in 2021. Still has the trademark black pepper and spice in what is essentially an elegant medium bodied wine without the fuller bodied blackberry and tar of nearby Trinity Hill Homage.
My last bottle of the 2014 Bullnose and consistent with previous notes here on Delectable. Hawkes Bay is one of the best districts in NZ for Syrah and Cabernet. Hasn’t really evolved much from the first of 4 bottles I had in 2021. Still has the trademark black pepper and spice in what is essentially an elegant medium bodied wine without the fuller bodied blackberry and tar of nearby Trinity Hill Homage.
Apr 7th, 2025A rich dark Ruby red in colour. More blackberry notes and less pepper than usual with this Cuvée on nose. However black pepper, liquorice and plum on the medium bodied palate. A little constrained at the moment but this is the first of 4 bottles so I will get to find out the potential. Tried another bottle 31 weeks later on 14th February 2023. True to type with lots of black pepper and spice with a little blackberry. Tasted another bottle on 9th December 2023 with similar notes - loads of white pepper. Barely medium weight. A revised score of 88 points. It needs more mid palate fruit.
A rich dark Ruby red in colour. More blackberry notes and less pepper than usual with this Cuvée on nose. However black pepper, liquorice and plum on the medium bodied palate. A little constrained at the moment but this is the first of 4 bottles so I will get to find out the potential. Tried another bottle 31 weeks later on 14th February 2023. True to type with lots of black pepper and spice with a little blackberry. Tasted another bottle on 9th December 2023 with similar notes - loads of white pepper. Barely medium weight. A revised score of 88 points. It needs more mid palate fruit.
Jul 8th, 2022
Killer...Slightly.gamey nose with wild red and black berries white pepper, smoke and silky tannin...New Zealand? Whaa?
Killer...Slightly.gamey nose with wild red and black berries white pepper, smoke and silky tannin...New Zealand? Whaa?
Dec 1st, 2017
Color of dark inky mesmerizing purple. Different shades of purple extend all the way to the rim. Nose is warm and pleasant, with sweet cherry, sweet plum, cocoa, sweet oak, and some herbal spice like sage or thyme. Taste is smooth, round, and polished. It gives you the sensation of warmth and comfort. The taste is dominated by structured cherry and plum sweetness, mellow acidity, oak, hickory, milk chocolate, right amount of spice, and some grilled pepper. Aftertaste is some refreshing zest, herbal note, olive, and residual sweetness. It is a shame that the rating in delectable doesn't reflect her beauty.
Color of dark inky mesmerizing purple. Different shades of purple extend all the way to the rim. Nose is warm and pleasant, with sweet cherry, sweet plum, cocoa, sweet oak, and some herbal spice like sage or thyme. Taste is smooth, round, and polished. It gives you the sensation of warmth and comfort. The taste is dominated by structured cherry and plum sweetness, mellow acidity, oak, hickory, milk chocolate, right amount of spice, and some grilled pepper. Aftertaste is some refreshing zest, herbal note, olive, and residual sweetness. It is a shame that the rating in delectable doesn't reflect her beauty.
Feb 4th, 2017Ripe, round and opulent, with pepper and spice. Needs time, but should be delicious.
Ripe, round and opulent, with pepper and spice. Needs time, but should be delicious.
Apr 23rd, 2016
