Posted: December 2, 2021
This youthful, medium-bodied red is deeply coloured, with a fresh, spicy bouquet. It has strong plum, spice and black pepper flavours, woven with fresh acidity, and an almost pinot noir-ish charm. $21
Comments Off on Church Road Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Dark and purple-flushed, this youthful, single-vineyard red was French oak-matured for six months. Vibrantly fruity, with a fresh, spicy, slightly earthy bouquet, it has clearly varietal, plummy, spicy, peppery flavours, generous and supple. Enjoyable young, it’s also worth cellaring. $28
Comments Off on Saint Clair James Sinclair Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Ruby hued, this single-vineyard red includes a splash of viognier (2%). Freshly aromatic, it is strongly varietal, with plummy, spicy, slightly nutty flavours, supple tannins, and good complexity, vigour and harmony. Best drinking mid-2022+. $28
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Select Vineyards Chalk Ridge Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Well worth cellaring, this perfumed, vigorous, smooth-flowing red was estate-grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and matured in French oak casks (36% new). Full-coloured, it has good density of plum and spice flavours, a hint of liquorice, fresh acidity and…
Comments Off on Church Road 1 Single Vineyard Syrah 2018 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
This classy young red is well worth cellaring. Oak-aged for a year, it is deeply coloured, with a fragrant, spicy, clearly varietal bouquet. Mouthfilling and well-structured, it is concentrated, with deep, ripe, plummy, spicy flavours, fresh acidity, oak complexity and…
Comments Off on Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
A top buy, this dark, floral red was grown in the Gimblett Gravels (principally) and the Bridge Pa Triangle, blended with malbec (14%), and matured for 18 months in French and Hungarian oak barrels (22% new). Still purple-flushed, with a…
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
This is a powerful, very age-worthy red, dark and rich. Estate-grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle (mostly) and the Gimblett Gravels, it was matured for 20 months in French and Hungarian oak barrels (33% new). Fragrant and fresh, it has…
Comments Off on Church Road Grand Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Instantly appealing, this very graceful, youthful red was estate-grown and matured for 10 months in French oak barrels (30% new). Deeply coloured, it is fleshy, savoury and supple, with excellent flavour depth, vigour and harmony. Best drinking 2023+. $50
Comments Off on Askerne The Tere Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Complex chocolaty/leathery bouquet with great power of fruit on the generous oaky palate.
Comments Off on Domaine Bassac Cuvee XVIII Rouge (Ecocert) Cotes Du Thongue Syrah 2018 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
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Comments Off on Domaine Bassac Cuvee XVIII Rouge (Ecocert) Cotes Du Thongue Syrah 2018 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Mature brooding fruit nose with big ripe sweet fruit flavours and a chewy oak finish.
Comments Off on Ten Miles East Adelaide Hills Syrah 2018 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Earthy dark fruit fragrances with a choc mint palate, light tannins and drying oak.
Comments Off on Sidewood Tyre Fitter Adelaide Hills Syrah 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
A lovely deep purple wine with an inky core. It has a brooding blackberry bouquet and blueberry pie-like flavour profile with a sprinkling of pepper notes.
Comments Off on Lerida Estate Cullerin Canberra Syrah 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
A powerful savoury oak nose and a rich black fruit palate with good spicy oak and velvety tannins.
Comments Off on Brash Vineyard Single Vineyard Margaret River Syrah 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
An elegant wine that is typical of a cool climate shiraz that shows good intensity of “bouncy” spicy peppery red fruit characters. Very approachable.
Comments Off on Marron Creek Frankland River Syrah 2018 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Bright and juicy with sweet strawberry fruit, leafy herbal notes and some spiciness.
Comments Off on Mount Trio Great Southern Syrah 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Who says you can’t grow great syrah in Marlborough? This very classy red is boldly coloured, with a fragrant, spicy bouquet. Still very youthful, it has concentrated plum, spice and black pepper flavours, seasoned with oak, a hint of liquorice,…
Comments Off on Giesen Single Vineyard Selection Clayvin Syrah 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Grown in the Southern Valleys, this is a top example of South Island syrah. Full-coloured, it is highly fragrant and full-bodied, with ripe, plummy, spicy flavours, hints of liquorice and nutty oak, fresh acidity, and excellent complexity and density. Still…
Comments Off on Giesen Limited Edition Organic Marlborough Syrah 2016 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
This very approachable, medium-bodied red was estate-grown at Okahu Estate, in Northland, and French and American oak-aged. Lightish in colour, it is fresh and distinctly spicy, with finely balanced tannins and some savoury complexity.
Comments Off on Shipwreck Bay Syrah 2015 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
This distinctive, estate-grown Northland red was barrel-aged, transferred to stainless steel tanks, and bottled recently. It has deep, still moderately youthful colour and a fragrant, spicy bouquet. Mouthfilling, with concentrated, plummy, spicy flavours, it is savoury and complex, with fresh…
Comments Off on Okahu Syrah 2013 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Still a baby, this Waipara-grown red is full-coloured and mouthfilling, with rich blackcurrant and spice flavours, hints of olives and herbs, savoury notes adding complexity, and supple tannins. Best drinking 2022+. Certified organic. $36 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Terrace Edge North Canterbury Syrah 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
This powerful red was estate-grown in Northland and matured for two years in French (mostly) and American oak casks. Deeply coloured, with a fragrant, spicy, slightly earthy bouquet, it is sturdy, rich and firm, with concentrated, youthful plum and spice…
Comments Off on Karikari Estate Syrah 2017 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Intensely peppery bouquet with a minty peppery palate. Typical cool climate style.
Comments Off on Mount Trio Great Southern Syrah 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
This deep ruby, medium to full-bodied red has fresh, peppery aromas. Vibrantly fruity, with plummy, spicy flavours, fresh acidity and a smooth finish, it’s enjoyable young. $16
Comments Off on Mission Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Fresh and youthful, this single-vineyard red was grown at Maraekakaho and matured for a year in French oak casks (25% new). Medium-bodied, it is vibrantly fruity and supple, with plum and spice flavours, gently seasoned with oak, and very good…
Comments Off on Volcanic Hills Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Delicious in its youth, this mouthfilling, supple red was grown principally (80%) at sites near Gimblett Road and matured in French oak barriques (18% new). Skilfully crafted, it is full-coloured, with good concentration of ripe, plummy, spicy flavours and a…
Comments Off on Villa Maria Cellar Selection Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Enjoyable young, this deep ruby red is fresh, medium to full-bodied, savoury and supple. Grown mostly in the Bridge Pa Triangle and matured for a year in Hungarian and French oak casks (20% new), it has generous, vibrant plum, spice…
Comments Off on Church Road Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Still unfolding, this single-vineyard red was matured for 20 months in French oak barriques. Full-coloured, it is vibrant and supple, in a youthful, medium-bodied style with plum, spice and black pepper flavours showing excellent depth. Strongly varietal, with fresh acidity,…
Comments Off on Vidal Soler Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Bright ruby, this vibrant red was grown at two sites and matured for a year in French oak barrels (14% new). A refined, medium-bodied wine, it has plummy, spicy, slightly peppery flavours, showing good complexity, finely balanced tannins and a…
Comments Off on Vidal Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Still a baby, this medium to full-bodied red was matured for 20 months in French oak barriques. Deep ruby, it is very vibrant, with strong plum and spice flavours, some earthy, rustic notes and savoury characters adding complexity. Best drinking…
Comments Off on Vidal Legacy Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
This is a great buy. Oak-aged for 10 months, it is full-coloured, very fresh, vibrant and supple, with generous, plummy, spicy flavours, nutty notes adding complexity, and a very harmonious finish. As an affordable, drink-young style, it’s hard to beat….
Comments Off on Ngatarawa Stables Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
This very youthful red was grown in the Gimblett Gravels and partly barrel-aged. Full-coloured, with a fresh, strong, peppery bouquet, it is full-bodied and vibrantly fruity, with a slightly earthy streak and good intensity of plum, spice and black pepper…
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Raptor Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Highly approachable in its youth, but also worth cellaring, this mouthfilling, sweet-fruited red was matured for over a year in French oak casks (38% new). Full-coloured, it has generous, ripe, berryish, spicy flavours, with finely integrated oak adding complexity and…
Comments Off on Askerne Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Already delicious, this deeply coloured, fragrant red was hand-picked on the Takapau Plains and matured for nine months in French oak barrels (33% new). Full-bodied, with a spicy bouquet, showing good complexity, it has concentrated, plummy, spicy flavours, a hint…
Comments Off on Junction Offside Central Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Delicious young, this vibrant, supple red was harvested from mature vines and matured for over a year in French oak puncheons and barriques (15% new). Full-coloured, it is medium to full-bodied, with concentrated, ripe, plummy, spicy flavours, showing good complexity,…
Comments Off on Esk Valley Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Already delicious, this floral, spicy red was grown in the Gimblett Gravels (principally) and the Bridge Pa Triangle, and matured for 18 months in French and Hungarian oak barrels (22% new). Deeply coloured, it is fragrant, mouthfilling, rich and supple,…
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
This classy red was estate-grown at two sites and matured for a year in French oak barriques (30% new). Deeply coloured, with a fragrant bouquet of spices and liquorice, it is mouthfilling and clearly varietal, with dense plum and spice…
Comments Off on Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Combining power and grace, this dark, single-vineyard red was hand-harvested and matured for 20 months in French oak barrels (33% new). Fragrant and finely textured, with blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, a hint of liquorice, and ripe, supple tannins, it’s…
Comments Off on Squawking Magpie Gimblett Gravels Stoned Crow Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Full of potential, this deeply coloured, finely structured red was estate-grown principally in the Redstone Vineyard, in the Bridge Pa Triangle, but also in the Gimblett Gravels, and matured for 20 months in French and Hungarian oak barrels (33% new)….
Comments Off on Church Road Grand Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
This very graceful, supple red was matured for 18 months in French oak barriques (41% new). From a vintage that yielded no syrah under the prestige Tom label, it’s a beautiful young red, full-coloured and floral, with intense plum and…
Comments Off on Church Road 1 Single Vineyard Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2017 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Very attractive approachable shiraz with sweet raspberry/mulberry fruit characters, a dash of pepper and ripe tannins.
Comments Off on Wangolina The Originals Mount Benson Syrah 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Powerful hit of lifted red fruit characters with chocolaty oak and big fine tannins. “Will be drinking well in the next ten years or more!”
Comments Off on Tamburlaine Organic Wines Reserve Orange Syrah 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
A straightforward plum driven shiraz with plenty of smoky oak sitting on top and a huge tannin structure.
Comments Off on Tamburlaine Organic Wines Reserve Hunter Valley Syrah 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Rich aromas of spicy red fruits and some dark cherry elements with a dash of pepper. A pretty palate, quite youthful, with earthy meaty flavours and firm tannins.
Comments Off on Smith & Sheth CRU Heretaunga Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Lovely nose – smells like a rhubarb pie and has a palate sitting in the earthy savoury spectrum.
Comments Off on Nodus Tollens Frankland River Syrah 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Fresh and lively, this medium to full-bodied red was matured in French oak barriques. Deep ruby, it has strong, plummy, spicy flavours, oak-derived complexity and a firmly structured finish. Open 2022+. $34
Comments Off on Obsidian Waiheke Island Syrah 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Certified organic, this medium-bodied red is a blend of syrah (97%) and viognier (3%), hand-picked and matured for 19 months in French oak barrels (less than 10% new). Full, bright ruby, it is aromatic, with vibrant, plummy, well-spiced flavours, revealing…
Comments Off on Fromm Marlborough Syrah 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Certified organic, this highly approachable but still very youthful, supple red was harvested from vines planted in 1984 and matured for over 18 months in French oak barriques (30% new). Deeply coloured, it is perfumed, with concentrated, vibrant, blackcurrant and…
Comments Off on Stonecroft Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Lovely lifted spicy peppery nose and a complex cool fruit driven palate.
Comments Off on Trinity Hill Homage Hawkes Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021