On our trip up to Nelson, we stumbled upon Te Mania Wines when looking for somewhere to do a quick tasting. We could immediately tell that we had come to the right place. Michal, the man doing the cellar door tasting was extremely knowledgeable and took the time to talk us through all the different wine-growing and making practices that went into each of their wines. It is very apparent that they take a lot of care in making these charming wines. One of the ones that stood out to us was the “Three Brothers” Red wine. This was a blend of Merlot, Malbec, and Cab Franc.
This wine is made in a slightly different way from a lot of blends you find on the market. It is more of a co-ferment. With most blends, each different grape is picked at separate times, fermented separately and blended after the individual ferments are completed. All the grapes are hand-harvested at the same time and then crushed and fermented together in the same tank. This means that this wine in particular changes composition yearly depending on how each grape ripened that year. Because Nelson is a rather wet and cooler wine region, this wine comes out in a lighter style than might be expected from a blend like this. It is a beautiful and complex wine and if you ever have the chance to try it out we would definitely recommend.
Price:
We got this bottle for NZ$25.99 ( £12.44, R292.51, US$ 15.62). While it is more expensive than some of the other wines we have reviewed, it is still extremely reasonable for the quality. It may not be in everyone’s student budget it is definitely in ours. ( one of the benefits of being a wine student – you can justify your spending by classing it as revision or practical work.) We have linked the website where you can buy it HERE. However, if you have the chance to go in we would recommend doing that.
Appearance:
The intensity was medium. You could still see light through it but it wasn’t overwhelmingly pale. It was certainly lighter than other wines of similar blends that you would find from warmer regions. It was a beautiful ruby-red colour.
Nose:
The aromas on the nose are slightly conserved at first but after a few swirls around your glass, you get hit with a beautiful mix of sweet cranberry, red plum and blueberry jam. There is also an extra layer of earthy slightly toasty notes that round off the nose perfectly. The combination of sweet fruity aromas and complex earth notes leave you dying to take your first sip.
Palate:
The notes that stood out to us straight away were the woody oaky notes. These were followed by notes of dark berries as well as some lighter undertones such as cranberry jelly, red cherry, and red plums. All these notes united together to create a truly wonderful drinking experience that you likely wouldn’t find in many other places, particularly at this price range.
Despite having dark fruit characteristics, the wine is very light and smooth making it very drinkable and suitable for lots of occasions. You can definitely feel the tannins but they weren’t overwhelming and paired very well with the flavours. It is dry and acidic, with quite a long finish.
Conclusion:
We had an amazing trip to Te Mania. During our visit, we discovered the delicious “Three Brothers” Red wine blend and also purchased a couple of other bottles that we plan to review over the next few weeks. Our host Michal was fantastic, and we had a lovely afternoon learning a lot about the unique winemaking styles employed at Te Mania. The winery takes full advantage of the climate of Nelson, which is evident in the quality of their wines. At only NZ$25.99, this wine is punching above its weight in terms of value. Whether you choose to buy it online or visit their cellar door for the full experience, you are sure to have a wonderful time.
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