Posted: December 10, 2019
This smooth-flowing, generous red is already enjoyable. Deep ruby, it is mouthfilling, savoury and supple, with good concentration of plum, spice and black pepper flavours, showing considerable complexity, and a lengthy finish. $25
Comments Off on Villa Maria Cellar Selection Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Well worth cellaring, this full-coloured red was matured for 17 months in French oak barriques (30% new). Mouthfilling, with fresh acidity and strong, vibrant, plummy, spicy flavours, showing good complexity, it should be at its best 2021+. $27
Comments Off on Vidal Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This Gimblett Gravels red is deep ruby, savoury and spicy. Still youthful, it is full-bodied and lively, with good density of plum and black pepper flavours, slightly earthy notes and a firmly structured finish. Best drinking 2021+. $30
Comments Off on Te Awa Single Estate Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Bargain-priced, this fragrant, full-bodied red includes minor portions of merlot (8%), malbec (4%) and cabernet franc (2%). Full-coloured, with a plummy, spicy bouquet, it is youthful, with concentrated plum and black pepper flavours and a fairly firm, long finish. Best…
Comments Off on Ngatarawa Stables Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Fresh and full-bodied, this ageworthy red was matured in a mix of American (56%) and French (44%) oak casks (26% new). Full-coloured, it has strong, blackpepper and plum aromas and flavours, showing very good complexity, hints of liquorice and dark…
Comments Off on Mills Reef Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This floral, supple, finely textured red was grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and matured in old French oak barrels. Deep ruby, it’s already drinking well, with plummy, spicy flavours, showing excellent complexity and harmony. Best drinking 2021+. $30 (A,…
Comments Off on Matahiwi Estate Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Drinking well now, but still youthful, this full-coloured red was matured for a year in French oak casks (40 per cent new). It has fresh, peppery aromas, leading into a mouthfilling, supple wine with vibrant plum and black pepper flavours,…
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Select Vineyards Chalk Ridge Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Full-coloured, with a fragrant, peppery bouquet, this mouthfilling red has fresh, strong, berryish, spicy flavours. Grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and matured for eight months in French oak barrels (25% new), it is still youthful, with very good depth,…
Comments Off on Babich Winemakers’ Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This elegant, vividly varietal red was matured for eight months in a mix of barriques and 5,000-litre oak ovals. Full-coloured, with a floral, peppery bouquet, it is medium to full-bodied, with strong, youthful, plum and black pepper flavours, a hint…
Comments Off on Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This sturdy, finely structured, highly fragrant red was hand-harvested, blended with a splash of viognier (1.3%) and matured for a year in French oak casks (27% new). It has excellent concentration of plum, spice and black pepper flavours, showing good…
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Select Vineyards Chalk Ridge Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
At five years old, this highly perfumed, powerful red is a pleasure to drink, but still unfolding. Matured for 17 months in French oak barriques (35% new), it is dark and full-bodied, with dense, beautifully ripe flavours of plums, spices,…
Comments Off on Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
A classic cellaring style, this fragrant, savoury red was grown at two sites in the Gimblett Gravels and matured for 18 months in French oak barriques (36% new). Full-coloured, with a peppery bouquet, it is well structured, with strong, youthful,…
Comments Off on Vidal Soler Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This highly refined red was hand-picked at two sites in the Gimblett Gravels and matured for 20 months in French oak barriques (43% new). Dark and floral, with inviting plum and black pepper aromas, it has dense plum, berry and…
Comments Off on Vidal Legacy Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2016 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Still a baby, this Gimblett Gravels red was matured for 15 months in French oak ovals and barriques. It has deep, purple-flushed colour and a highly scented, peppery bouquet. Mouthfilling, vibrantly fruity and supple, with deep plum and black pepper…
Comments Off on Trinity Hill Homage Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Built for the long haul, this beautifully structured red was hand-picked in the Cornerstone Vineyard and matured for 15 months in French oak barriques. Dark and concentrated, it is fragrant and sturdy, with deep, youthful blackcurrant, plum and black pepper…
Comments Off on Esk Valley Winemakers Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2016 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Set for a long life, this powerful, highly refined red was grown in the Chalk Ridge vineyard, on the edge of the Havelock North hills. Hand-harvested and matured for a year in French oak casks (45% new), it is dark…
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Still unfolding, this estate-grown red was matured for 15 months in French oak barriques (50% new). Full-coloured, with a floral, spicy bouquet, it is medium-bodied, with vibrant, berryish, spicy flavours, savoury notes adding complexity, and supple tannins. An elegant style,…
Comments Off on Thomas Waiheke Island Syrah 2015 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Cool climate style with a green edge to the chocolaty nose and spicy plum flavours.
Comments Off on Scion Rutherglen Syrah 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Berry bouquet and elegant, straightforward palate with subtle fruit and strong tannins.
Comments Off on Guigal Brune et Blonde France Syrah 2015 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Nose is dark inky and restrained with mocha notes. Palate has good length and density of raspberry coulis-like flavours. 5+
Comments Off on Mr Riggs Wine Co. Piebald Adelaide Hills Syrah 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Lifted sweet oak aromas and medium bodied chocolaty palate layered with cherry fruit. 5+
Comments Off on Elysian Springs Spring Lamb Adelaide Hills Syrah 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
A bright, youthful and acid driven wine with minty sour cherry fruit characters showing a dash of pepper.
Comments Off on Eloper Adelaide Hills Syrah 2018 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Smells of raspberries and milk chocolate with red berry flavours and great “playful” tannins.
Comments Off on Bird in Hand Adelaide Hills Syrah 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Good depth of red hues with a rich and chocolaty nose and a generous fleshy palate with complex layers of toasty cedar oak and chocolaty fruit flavours.
Comments Off on Simon Tolley Single Vineyard Adelaide Hills Syrah 2016 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Lifted musky strawberry bouquet with more of the same on the palate. “Has personality!”
Comments Off on Jericho Adelaide Hills Syrah 2016 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Cherry Kirsch-like aromas with some obvious spiciness and huge sweet oak palate tending to cover the fruit. 3-5
Comments Off on Chain of Ponds Grave’s Gate Adelaide Hills Syrah 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
A flavoursome mix of classic shiraz fruit and classy oak. Still quite fresh.Complex mature aromas and well integrated oak/fruit flavours with balancing tannins.
Comments Off on Esk Valley Winemakers Reserve Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2014 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
A bright purple, lightweight style with slight green edge to the fruit and an interesting use of oak.
Comments Off on Villa Maria Reserve Gimblet Gravels Syrah 2016 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
A pretty peppery fruit nose and “Very exciting, lip-smacking palate,” according to one judge
Comments Off on Vidal Reserve Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
A deep crimson wine with a nose that is super spicy and super stalky and a palate that is long, lean and dark. 5+
Comments Off on Vidal Soler Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
An attractive medium weight commercial style with ample cherry berry fruit and slight green notes.
Comments Off on Vidal Legacy Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2016 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Still quite youthful and alert for a five-year-old. Lovely sweet oak and powerful varietal fruit. Just starting to mature.
Comments Off on Tintilla Estate Patriarch Pokolbin Hunter Valley Syrah 2014 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
A fruit-cake of a nose with a perfumed lift. Lingering varietal fruit flavours and mouth coating tannins on the creamy, youthful and balanced palate.
Comments Off on Tamburlaine Organic Wines Reserve Hunter Valley Syrah 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Elegant youthful and very drinkable fruit driven wine with a background of oak.
Comments Off on Tamburlaine Organic Wines Reserve Orange Syrah 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: September 4, 2019
Floral spicy aromas with hints of peppercorns. The palate is reminiscent of Cherry Ripe with lots of pepper.
Comments Off on Sew & Sew Contour Adelaide Hills Syrah 2017 / 0 View / September 4, 2019
Posted: July 3, 2019
A bright crimson wine with great presence and offering excellent drinking. Smells like cherry kirsch with spirity notes. The warming palate is alive with stewed fruit flavours. $40
Comments Off on Eloper Adelaide Hills Syrah 2018 / 0 View / July 3, 2019
Posted: July 3, 2019
A well-integrated, nicely structured, cool climate style with dark savoury fruit and lively acidity. $28
Comments Off on Witches Falls Granite Belt Syrah 2018 / 0 View / July 3, 2019
Posted: July 3, 2019
Ribena-like aromas with a pretty violet lift. Firm youthful palate, good length of plum and boysenberry flavours with chewy tannins. $20 NZ
Comments Off on Mount Riley Marlborough Syrah 2018 / 0 View / July 3, 2019
Posted: July 3, 2019
This sturdy, supple red was blended with a splash of viognier and aged for over a year in French oak casks (25% new). Deep ruby, it is mouthfilling, with generous dark fruit and black pepper flavours, hints of liquorice and…
Comments Off on Terrace Edge Waipara Valley Syrah 2016 / 0 View / July 3, 2019
Posted: July 3, 2019
Deeply coloured, fresh, supple red, matured for 19 months in French oak casks (33% new). Still youthful, with mouthfilling body, generous plum/spice flavours, a hint of herbs, and good complexity and fragrance. Best drinking 2020+. $50
Comments Off on Georges Road Cuvée 43 Waipara Syrah 2016 / 0 View / July 3, 2019
Posted: July 3, 2019
This is a lively, medium-bodied red, attractive young. Deeply coloured, it has satisfying depth of berry, plum and spice flavours, woven with fresh acidity, and a smooth finish. (From Pernod-Ricard NZ.) $23
Comments Off on The Last Shepherd Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 / 0 View / July 3, 2019
Posted: July 3, 2019
Very ageworthy, this supple, medium-bodied red has a floral, peppery bouquet. Estate-grown, hand-harvested and blended with a splash of viognier (2%), it was matured for eight months in a mix of French oak barriques and 5,000-litre ovals. Still purple-flushed, it…
Comments Off on Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2018 / 0 View / July 3, 2019
Posted: July 3, 2019
This classy, coastal Northland red was estate-grown and matured for 18 months in French oak barriques (30% new). Deep and still youthful in colour, it is fragrant, weighty and concentrated, with ripe, plummy, spicy flavours, showing impressive vigour, balance and…
Comments Off on The Landing Bay of Islands Syrah 2015 / 0 View / July 3, 2019
Posted: July 3, 2019
The nose is savoury and earthy with just a hint of violets with more savouriness on the palate showing attractive gamey elements and chewy tannins. 5+
Comments Off on Anvers Single Vineyard Adelaide Hills Syrah 2017 / 0 View / July 3, 2019
Posted: July 3, 2019
Perfumed/rose water-like lift to the minty blueberry nose with musky notes. Great palate weight and a complexity of floral/sweet flavours with nice use of oak. 3-5
Comments Off on Bird in Hand Adelaide Hills Syrah 2017 / 0 View / July 3, 2019
Posted: July 3, 2019
Nose has good varietal fruit with slight dusty oak and herbal complexity. Licoricey fruit flavours with toasty oak and nice tannins. 3-5
Comments Off on Elysian Springs Spring Lamb Adelaide Hills Syrah 2017 / 0 View / July 3, 2019
Posted: July 3, 2019
A tight and leathery, but very approachable wine with nice toasty oak over minty red fruits.
Comments Off on Innocent Bystander Yarra Valley Syrah 2017 / 0 View / July 3, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Deep purple wine with a leafy/peppery nose showing a blue fruit lift. Good sweet peppery berry palate with nice use of oak, soft tannins and a crisp finish. 5+
Comments Off on Boutique Wines By CSU Canberra Syrah 2017 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
This ageworthy, intensely varietal red was grown in the Gimblett Gravels and Bridge Pa Triangle. Deeply coloured, with a highly fragrant, fresh, spicy bouquet, it is mouthfilling, with strong, youthful, plum and black pepper flavours, showing good complexity, and a…
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 / 0 View / May 1, 2019
Posted: May 1, 2019
Lovely already, but full of potential, this Gimblett Gravels red was matured for 17 months in French oak barriques. It has bold, youthful colour, with a spicy, highly fragrant bouquet. Very rich and supple, it is packed with blackcurrant, plum…
Comments Off on Church Road Grand Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2016 / 0 View / May 1, 2019