Established in 1896, Te Mata Estate remains family owned, producing internationally recognized wines exclusively from its Hawke's Bay vineyards. The Estate's ownership varied frequently until John and Wendy Buck acquired it in 1978. John and Wendy instigated a twenty-year development program, which commenced with the restoration of the original winery building and the replanting of all of the original vineyards, as well as the acquisition of new vineyard sites.

Te Mata winery has been ranked 'Top Winery in New Zealand' evidenced by the consistent quality of the Coleraine and Awatea Cabernet Merlot wines, the Bull Nose Syrah and the Elston Chardonnay.

The wine is named Bullnose after an early Morris Cowley car, which was nicknamed Bullnose due to its distinctive radiator. The bull emblem that appears on the wine label is drawn from the car’s radiator crest.

Combining impressive fruit purity with savoury nuances, the wine shows dark cherry, raspberry, violet, cinnamon, white pepper, and toasted nut characters on the nose. The palate offers excellent weight and silky flow, together with plush texture and fine, grainy tannins, making it sturdy and refined at the same time. Sensually seductive and alluring with a prolonged, captivating finish. At its best: 2027 to 2043. Date; Feb 2025; Rating: 97 Points; Wine Orbit

Cinnamon oak sweetness with subtle floral notes and dried rosemary are balanced by game, dark spice, and cocoa nibs. The palate is currently very young with the raspberry and blackberry flavours framed by high acidity and light fruit tannins which are supported by sweet oak. The dried herb notes carry through from the nose but melt into the plummy flavours on the finish. Slightly chewy on the back, it needs a bit of time to come together and will develop over the mid-term by virtue of its elegance and acidity. Date: May 2025; Drink: 2026-2035; Rating: 94 Points; The Real Review