98 points - "The iconic blend of 58/31/11% cabernet sauvignon/merlot/cabernet franc. Tiny berries in '24, destemmed, 30 days' maceration, matured in French oak, 70% new, for 20 months. Deep magenta/crimson with enticing aromas of pure blackberry, damson plum, black cherry and blackcurrant fruits over hints of fine spice, dried tobacco, pencil case, crème de cassis, gentle crushed meadow herbs, violets, cocoa nibs, cedar, vanilla bean and earth. Such an elegant, graceful presentation of ripe black fruits on the palate, slender and supple, layered and kinetic. This has superfine powdered-gravel tannins and a finish that seems to roll forever. A classic from a superb vintage, this is just a no-brainer and a wine that sits right at the top of the New Zealand fine-wine hierarchy." - Dave Brookes (Halliday Wine Companion)

100 points - "This is a masterpiece, much like a great work of art. The bouquet shows cassis, dark plum, bouquet garni, baking spice, rich floral, and cedar characters. It’s concentrated with exceptional depth and mouth-coating texture, wonderfully framed by finely polished tannins. It’s perfectly proportioned and gracefully powerful, combining scintillating fruit purity with seductive complexity. The wine flows seamlessly to a persistent, structured finish. $175.00." - Sam Kim (Wine Orbit)

98 points - "Superlative balance. Aromas of blackberries, currants, blueberries, graphite and dark tobacco with hints of bark, violets and licorice. Medium-bodied with ultra-fine velvety tannins and a seamless, cashmere texture. so caressing and polished. Bright and vivid at the end." - James Suckling (James Suckling)

98 points - "Deep and bright, bold purple-red colour; fabulous cranberry, violet and cassis aromas, the fruit bursting from the glass. The same flavours saturate the palate which is beautifuly balanced by abundant fine-grained tannins that run the full length of the palate and provide a very long lasting and resonant farewell. Oak is so well handled as to be only just perceptible, adding to the cedary touches. An utterly delicious cabernet blend and a top vintage of this wine." - Huon Hooke (The Real Review)

97 points - "This is 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc. 55% new oak. This vintage puts me in mind of the mighty 2020; that sort of depth and concentration, though it has some of the acid cut of 2021 in the mix too. Winemaker Phil Brodie says 2024 was a dry vintage, and warm too, with small bunches and lower crop levels. Said it could have gone too ripe, but they walked through the vineyards on a daily basis, tasting and testing, and they picked it when they thought it was just right. When I think about NZ wine, at the top of the tree, I have Kumeu for Chardonnay, Bilancia for Shiraz (and sometimes Chardonnay!), and Te Mata for Cabernet. A trio of meticulous producers who regularly deliver that little bit extra. The one percenters, if you like. Deep dark wine, black and red fruit, chocolate and ironstone, some creamy and spicy cedar oak, dried flowers, a light minty perfume, slight roasted red capsicum and pimento. It’s medium to full-bodied, crisp ‘mineral’ acidity, lavish graphite tannin, tobacco and nori, a fresh blackberry nip to it, brooding and ferrous, with a firm and savoury finish of superb length. An exceptional wine. It will keep, probably, for as long as you want to keep it, if you can keep your hands off it, that is." - Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)