Posted: May 2, 2018
Big dense aromas of damson plum and black cherry. An exuberant plump style of syrah with lots of ripe fruit. Quite forceful tannins provide a bold structure; this wine needs a little more time to allow these tannins to integrate…
Comments Off on The Landing Syrah 2014 / 0 View / May 2, 2018
Posted: May 2, 2018
Very polished aromas; new oak cinnamon and vanilla woven with redcurrant and red cherry. Plenty of richness, not much peppery characters but instead some bold ripe plummy fruit. Ready now. $35.00
Comments Off on Boulder Bay Syrah 2015 / 0 View / May 2, 2018
Posted: May 2, 2018
Some ripe plum and cherry, with a touch of roasted meat and spice. Firm tannins, attractive density of fruit. Not the most powerful of wines but has a floral quality that is very appealing. $44.00
Comments Off on Sculptureum Cezanne Syrah 2015 / 0 View / May 2, 2018
Posted: May 2, 2018
We debated this wine at length. There is a little brett on the nose giving a funky animal edge but rather than detract, it gives an interesting complexity and importantly hasn’t dried out the palate. There is some ripe peppery…
Comments Off on Sculptureum Matakana Syrah 2014 / 0 View / May 2, 2018
Posted: May 2, 2018
Appealing plum aromas with meaty elements and lots of peppery spices. Very soft and silky smooth in the mouth with lots of varietal fruit flavours and peppery complexity. 3-5
Comments Off on Lerida Estate Cullerin Canberra District Syrah 2017 / 0 View / May 2, 2018
Posted: March 2, 2018
A hint of cracked pepper immediately apparent on the nose but also some dark wintergreen herbals. Moderately concentrated with some red plum and raspberry and a little smoky, meaty richness. $35.00
Comments Off on Moutere Hills Syrah 2016 / 0 View / March 2, 2018
Posted: November 9, 2017
Big bold fruit with plenty of sweet vanilla and cinnamon oak. Palate is big with tannins and fruit jockeying for position. $27.00
Comments Off on Pukeora Ruahine Range Syrah 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Attractive core of red fruits with a little dried herb. Softly tannic, simply fruited but appealing. $19.00
Comments Off on Mills Reef Syrah 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Super-ripe raspberry and cherry fruit explodes on the nose. Simple and direct but with lots of appealing youthful charm. $22.00
Comments Off on Pask Syrah 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
A meaty, savoury nose. Tightly structured with oak and fruit starting to integrate well. Not to most concentrated wine but well done. $22.00
Comments Off on Askerne Syrah 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Hint of peppery rotundone sits alongside dark plum and berry. Plenty of silky tannins, a supple wine that is light on its feet. $25.00
Comments Off on Mills Reef Reserve Syrah 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Very appealing blueberry and boysenberry with a hint of pepper and spice on the nose. Densely fruited but silky tannins give a charming textural edge to the fruit. Definitely concentrated but manages to retain a pretty floral edge. $45.00
Comments Off on Church Road Grand Reserve Hawke Bay Syrah 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
A big, ripe style of Syrah with red plum and boysenberry fruit and a touch of cracked pepper. The flavours are rich and concentrated and lead to a long, lingering finish. $50.00
Comments Off on Pask Declaration Syrah 2014 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Going through a bit of a closed phase right now; the nose was very tight and brooding with lots of dark fruit and exotic spice but somehow buttoned down. The palate is powerful and concentrated with dense, chewy tannins quite…
Comments Off on Vidal Legacy Syrah 2014 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Impenetrable colour. Quite a bit of oak here though there is some savoury leather and game starting to show alongside the fruit. Silky tannins support. Great length. $50.00
Comments Off on Mission Jewelstone Syrah 2014 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Still fairly youthful and primary with masses of cracked pepper, violets and plum. A very pure style of Syrah that shows so much concentration and intensity. There is plenty of potential here. $25.00
Comments Off on Vidal Reserve Syrah 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Lovely juicy floral notes of redcurrant, raspberry and a little bit of smoky bacon in the background. Sweetly fruited, bright and juicy with just a wee hint of tannin in the background. Super delicious and fun, not going to make…
Comments Off on Saint Clair James Sinclair Syrah 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Very pretty and peppery. Plenty of blackberry and plum fruit but attractive, expansive nose allows hints of lavender and violets to peep through. Definite note of warmth from alcohol, a powerfully fruited wine that has excellent concentration and length. $25.00
Comments Off on Esk Valley Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Strongly aromatic; floral rose petal and lavender. Very pure, focused style of Syrah, not the most concentrated wine but beautifully judged with peppery, plummy fruit supported by silky, finely grained tannin. $25.00
Comments Off on Villa Maria Cellar Selection Syrah 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Fruit slightly subdued at first but opens up in the glass to reveal some pretty doris plum and blueberry. A very ripe style, tannins are well judged and though they are fairly bold, they are well integrated. Excellent length. $28.00
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke Bay Syrah 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Blueberry aromas laced with vanilla and spices with a dash of pepper. Well integrated fruit driven flavours enhanced by sweet spices and firm tannins. Built to last! 5+
Comments Off on Tamburlaine Reserve Hunter Valley Syrah 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
A soft well balanced wine with lovely dark fruit intensity and powerful underlying savoury notes.
Comments Off on Berrigan Mt Benson Robe Syrah 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: September 6, 2017
Black pepper and plum with a touch of wintergreen too. Generous and dense with plenty of tannin but ripe and balanced. A long persistent finish.
Comments Off on Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2015 / 0 View / September 6, 2017
Posted: September 6, 2017
Although there is plenty of oak cloaking the palate, there is a decent amount of spicy black berry fruit underneath. A bold glossy red.
Comments Off on Marsden Vigot Syrah 2015 / 0 View / September 6, 2017
Posted: September 6, 2017
Not so much of the black pepper found in Hawkes Bay and instead this speaks of Marlborough; juicy red raspberry fruit flavours, silky and super approachable, already drinking well
Comments Off on Mount Riley Syrah 2016 / 0 View / September 6, 2017
Posted: September 6, 2017
A juicy, vivid style of syrah which has a lovely combination of white pepper and raspberry fruit and just a touch of tannin. Softly textured and immediately appealing.
Comments Off on Mission Estate Reserve Syrah 2016 / 0 View / September 6, 2017
Posted: September 6, 2017
This is lovely. Smoked barbecue meat, black pepper and spice. Dense and compact with firm, savoury tannins, this is a richly textured Syrah There is a real persistence of flavour that suggests this will develop well in bottle.
Comments Off on Elephant Hill Syrah 2015 / 0 View / September 6, 2017
Posted: September 6, 2017
Quite different aromas – smells of cooked meats and black pepper. Has dense, slightly oxidized, overtones to the firm flavour profile.
Comments Off on Paul Jaboulet La Chapelle Hermitage France Syrah 2013 / 0 View / September 6, 2017
Posted: September 6, 2017
Attractive charry oak edges to the fruity nose. Lean austere palate dominated by charry oak. Lots more cellaring potential left.
Comments Off on E. Guigal Cote Rotie La Turque France Syrah 2012 / 0 View / September 6, 2017
Posted: September 6, 2017
Smells of plums and sweet Christmas spices with smoky oak characters. Very more-ish palate with opulent spicy blue fruit flavours. Nicely focussed finished. Needs time 5+
Comments Off on Allinda Hand Crafted Limited Release Yarra Valley Syrah 2016 / 0 View / September 6, 2017
Posted: September 6, 2017
Porty, meaty and savoury on the nose with rich red plum flavours showing herbaceous notes. 3-5
Comments Off on Dromana Estate Mornington Peninsula Syrah 2013 / 0 View / September 6, 2017
Posted: September 6, 2017
Vibrant plum and raspberry fragrances balanced by subtle oak. Beautifully layered palate. Pretty floral/violet flavours, noticeable oak and lingering tannins. 5+
Comments Off on Allinda Yarra Valley Syrah 2016 / 0 View / September 6, 2017
Posted: September 6, 2017
Rhone-like style with a spicy peppery lift on the nose and the palate that has a perfumed edge adding interest. 3-5
Comments Off on Villa Maria Cellar Selection Hawkes Bay Syrah 2015 / 0 View / September 6, 2017
Posted: September 6, 2017
Pretty perfumed violet fragrances with subtle oaky notes. The well balanced palate is rich and ripe – sweet and savoury.
Comments Off on Te Awa Single Estate Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / September 6, 2017
Posted: September 6, 2017
Obvious but very interesting intense oaky Rhone-like style that needs more time. Lifted peppery spicy aromas and flavours.
Comments Off on Esk Valley Hawkes Bay Syrah 2015 / 0 View / September 6, 2017
Posted: September 6, 2017
The attractive fragrant nose is aromatic and perfumed. The palate has a robust spicy sour cherry flavour profile and apple-like acidity. 5+
Comments Off on Esk Valley Winemakers Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / September 6, 2017
Posted: September 6, 2017
A simple uncomplicated shiraz that has a perfumed edge to the sweet berry fruit aromas and flavours.
Comments Off on Vidal Reserve Hawkes Bay Syrah 2015 / 0 View / September 6, 2017
Posted: September 6, 2017
Great intensity of peppery red fruit aromas. A firm, but not tannic, palate that has a fine savoury structure, spicy flavour persistence and a good level of acidity. 5+
Comments Off on Vidal Legacy Series Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / September 6, 2017
Posted: September 6, 2017
Beautiful, delicate aromatics swell from the glass. Loads of pepper on the palate but nicely integrated with the rich varietal fruit and tannins. Mouth-watering acidity and a lingering finish. 5+
Comments Off on Church Road Grand Reserve Hawkes Bay Syrah 2015 / 0 View / September 6, 2017
Posted: June 30, 2017
A pretty, floral style of syrah; raspberry and red cherry with a little cracked pepper. Gentle tannins in the background give structure. Lovely now. $26.00
Comments Off on Cypress Syrah 2015 / 0 View / June 30, 2017
Posted: June 30, 2017
Pretty lifted aromatics; black pepper, damson and lavender. There are layers of oak and tannin but both are well judged creating a medium bodied appealing style or syrah that retains a supple, generous character. $30.00
Comments Off on Sacred Hill Halo Hawkes Bay Syrah 2016 / 0 View / June 30, 2017
Posted: June 30, 2017
There was plenty of discussion over this wine. It is very dense; super ripe black fruits edging towards the plummy, fruitcake spectrum. A big, full throttle powerful palate packed with fruit, oak and tannin. A take no prisoners style that…
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawkes Bay Syrah 2015 / 0 View / June 30, 2017
Posted: June 30, 2017
A big wine with bold flavours of black cherry, plum and damson. A touch of cracked pepper too. There is quite a bit of tannin but it is ripe and integrates well with the fruit. Needs a little time in…
Comments Off on Sacred Hill Reserve Hawkes Bay Syrah 2016 / 0 View / June 30, 2017
Posted: June 30, 2017
No doubt this is Syrah; immensely peppery with some blueberry and lavender underneath. Densely fruited and though firm tannins sit in the background there is a silky drinkability to the wine. $31.00
Comments Off on Terrace Edge Syrah 2015 / 0 View / June 30, 2017
Posted: June 29, 2017
Deep purple wine with a vibrant, fresh crushed berry bouquet and lovely freshness of juicy blackberry flavours.
Comments Off on Riversdale Estate Tasmania Syrah 2016 / 0 View / June 29, 2017
Posted: June 29, 2017
Deep purple wine with a vibrant, fresh crushed berry bouquet and lovely freshness of juicy blackberry flavours.
Comments Off on Riversdale Estate Tasmania Syrah 2016 / 0 View / June 29, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Full, bright colour. Fresh, plummy, spicy and supple, in a medium-bodied style, enjoyable young.
Comments Off on Moana Park Gimblett Road Syrah 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Deeply coloured and mouthfilling, with generous, ripe, plum and black pepper flavours. Good varietal character, with savoury notes adding complexity (16 months in French oak) and supple tannins. Best drinking 2016+.
Comments Off on Cable Bay Waiheke Island Syrah 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Deeply coloured, with a fragrant bouquet of ripe plums and spices. Still very youthful, with vibrant blackcurrant and black pepper flavours, showing excellent concentration, well-integrated oak and fine-grained tannins. Best drinking 2016+.
Comments Off on Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Classy Matakana red, blended from cabernet franc (60%), merlot (35%) and carmenere (5%). Full-coloured, savoury and earthy, with distinct overtones of Bordeaux. Sweet-fruited, with excellent concentration and complexity. Already delicious and well-priced.
Comments Off on Sculptureum The Rodin Blend Syrah 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017