The 2007 Coleraine (52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc and 34% Merlot) had been recently bottled, it is no wonder the nose is rather sulky, but there is patently a lot of intense cedar-infused Cabernet fruit in this Coleraine. The palate is full-bodied with fully ripe tannins, good grip, cedar, blackberry, pain grille, sous-bois coming through. Great persistency towards the viscous finish. Superb. John and Nick Buck were in fine form when I visited their estate in Hawkes Bay along with winemaker Peter Cowley and their portfolio offers something for the commercial end of the market, right up to one of New Zealand’s genuine icons. Importer: American Estates Wines, Summit, NJ; tel. (908) 273-5060; fax (908) 273-5068