te Awatea takes its name from the legendary ship SS Awatea (a Maori word meaning "Eye of the Dawn”) that sailed the Auckland – Sydney – Wellington route in the late 1930’s. The Awatea was requisitioned as a troop transport in WWII and was sunk off Algeria in 1942.
Woodthorpe is an expansive single vineyard on elevated river terraces, angled to the sun, located in Hawkes Bay’s Tutaekuri river valley. Originally a colonial settlement, militia encampment, and staging post, it was between 1863 and 1914 home to the annual Woodthorpe races. Today it’s ideal aspect and free-draining soils provide Te Mata Estate a unique location for quality grapes.
Te Mata Estates Woodthorpe Gamay Noir is a single vineyard wine. The unique ‘maceration carbonique’ fermentation, which enhances the fruit and floral aromas of the wine, was used for sixty percent of the grapes. The other forty percent received a traditional, warm fermentation. The resulting wines completed their malolactic fermentation and were matured for a three months in seasoned French oak barrels, before blending and bottling.
Te Mata Estate Woodthorpe Gamay Noir is a vibrant crimson colour with wonderful aromas of raspberries, dark cherries, violets and cinnamon. The palate is very ripe, showing the same crushed berry flavours, and with gentle notes of milk chocolate, all leading to a soft supple finish.
Woodthorpe Gamay Noir is amazingly versatile, it can be partnered with just about any food, and is a particularly great match with spicy Asian or Indian cuisine. It can be enjoyed immediately upon release and will continue to develop in bottle for two years from harvest.
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