"Rich and quite oaky viognier, with attractive apricot, subtle honeysuckle and roasted nut flavours. 100% barrel-fermented with 10% new oak and a full malolactic fermentation. An impressive wine with fully ripe flavours (seldom achieved in this country) and freshness from tangy acidity" Bob Campbell, Master of Wine, Real Review, Nov 2017

"Bright, even straw-yellow colour. This has an elegantly presented nose with a tight core of apricots, citrus zest and white and yellow florals, along with savoury apricot kernels. The fruit aromas show clarity, revealing nuances of nutty oak. Dry to taste and firm on palate, this has good depth and density of apricot and citrussy fruits, with savoury kernel elements. The palate is rich, with a degree of unctuousness, and has some underlying alcohol drive, the wine flowing along a fine-textured line, with bright acidity in support. The savoury flavours carry to a lingering rich finish. This is a rich and complex, savoury apricotty Viognier with power and good acidity. 3-4 years. Hand-picked fruit from the ‘Woodthorpe Terrace’ vineyard, vines 20+ y.o., fully barrel-fermented to 14.0% alc. and dryness, the wine aged 10 months on lees in 5% new oak undergoing 100% MLF." Raymond Chan, March 2017.

"A textbook example of the variety and then some, this gorgeous wine offers extra layers of texture and seductive flavours. Apricot, mandarin, floral and spice lead to a sumptuous palate that is impressively fruited and silky. Layers of texture and seductive flavours." Sam Kim, Wine Orbit. March 2017.

Sun-ripened apricots and mandarin oil. Scented lilies and marzipan. Voluptuous and floral as an idyllic summer at the beach. Zara ’16 is luminous gold, with an intensely rich palate, superb concentration, and seamless integration of stone fruit, nougat, honeysuckle and jasmine. Succulent nectarine, silky hazelnut and subtle baking spice notes all lead to a fine, long sea salt-tinged finish.

On 29 March 2016, fully ripe viognier grapes were hand harvested in several passes across the sloping middle terrace of Te Mata Estate’s Woodthorpe Terraces Vineyard. The individually handled ferments were blended to enhance the wine’s varietal complexity. The finished wine was fined before bottling. Zara ’16 will continue to develop in bottle for three to four years from harvest.

Zara is affectionately named after Zara Buck, the first born child of the third generation of Te Mata Estate’s Buck family. Zara spent her childhood playing amongst the vines at the vineyard which is home to this delightful viognier.