Posted: June 16, 2017
Boldly coloured Matakana red, fragrant, fresh and full-bodied. Strongly varietal, with concentrated plum and black pepper flavours, slightly earthy notes adding complexity and balanced tannins. Ageworthy red, offering fine value.
Comments Off on Sculptureum Cezanne Syrah 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Deeply coloured, very youthful red with highly concentrated blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, showing excellent ripeness and varietal definition. Elegant, with fine-grained tannins and good cellaring potential. Fine value.
Comments Off on Byrne Northland Syrah 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Highly fragrant, densely coloured red, grown in the Gimblett Gravels. Very concentrated, youthful and silky-textured, with vibrant plum and black pepper flavours, a hint of licorice, finely integrated oak, and notable depth and complexity. Still a baby; open 2017+.
Comments Off on Villa Maria Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Bold, purple-flushed red, grown in the Gimblett Gravels (60%) and Bridge Pa Triangle (40%). Dense and ripe, with richly varietal, blackcurrant and spice flavours, a savoury, nutty complexity (from 17 months in French oak barriques, 30% new), and good tannin…
Comments Off on Villa Maria Cellar Selection Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Bright ruby, with fresh, strong plum, spice and herb flavours and a fairly firm finish. Drinking well now.
Comments Off on Staete Landt Arie Marlborough Syrah 2011 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Full, bright colour. Medium-bodied style, with strong, plummy, spicy, slightly herbal and gamey flavours. Barrel-aged for nearly two years.
Comments Off on Spy Valley Marlborough Syrah 2012 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Deep, bright colour. Fragrant and mouthfilling, with generous, ripe plum, pepper and olive flavours, savoury and lingering. Enjoyed by all judges.
Comments Off on Giesen Single Vineyard Selection Clayvin Marlborough Syrah 2012 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Perfumed, boldly coloured red from 19 year-old vines in the Brancott Valley. Powerful and fleshy, with deep plum and spice flavours, fine-grained tannins and a lasting finish. One of the region’s finest syrahs yet.
Comments Off on Giesen Single Vineyard Selection Clayvin Syrah 2011 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 15, 2017
Drak berry aroma very firm tannin
Comments Off on Just Red Wines Nikki’s Vineyard Syrah 2013 / 0 View / June 15, 2017
Posted: June 9, 2017
Medium-bodied Gimblett Gravels red with deep, bright colour. Fresh, vibrantly fruity and smooth, with ripe plum and black pepper flavours, seasoned with toasty oak, gentle tannins and an almost pinot noir-ish appeal.
Comments Off on Sacred Hill Halo Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2013 / 0 View / June 9, 2017
Posted: June 9, 2017
Rich, vibrantly fruity Hawke’s Bay blend of malbec and cabernet franc, estate-grown on the coast, at Te Awanga, and matured in seasoned French and American barriques. Full-coloured, with fresh, ripe blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, firm tannins and good density….
Comments Off on Clearview Two Pinnacles Syrah 2013 / 0 View / June 9, 2017
Posted: June 9, 2017
This deeply coloured red was grown at Te Awanga and matured in seasoned oak barriques. It’s a powerful, weighty, sweet-fruited wine with a strong surge of blackcurrant, plum and black pepper flavours, gentle tannins and great drink-young appeal.
Comments Off on Clearview Cape Kidnappers Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / June 9, 2017
Posted: June 9, 2017
Fragrant and deeply coloured, with a spicy, nutty bouquet. Mouthfilling, finely textured and complex, with ripe blackcurrant, plum and black pepper flavours, a slightly earthy streak and a long, spicy finish. Concentrated, youthful wine, with supple tannins and excellent depth…
Comments Off on Man O’ War Dreadnought Waiheke Island Syrah 2012 / 0 View / June 9, 2017
Posted: June 9, 2017
Highly refined, beautifully scented and supple red, estate-grown in the Redstone Vineyard, in the Bridge Pa Triangle, and French oak-matured for 18 months. Boldly coloured, with dense, very ripe plum and black pepper flavours, silky tannins and a lasting, finely…
Comments Off on Church Road Grand Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2013 / 0 View / June 9, 2017
Posted: June 9, 2017
Finely balanced, mouthfilling red with fullish colour, well-integrated toasty oak, and fresh, moderately concentrated plum, spice and pepper flavours.
Comments Off on Kainui Road Northland Syrah 2013 / 0 View / June 9, 2017
Posted: June 9, 2017
Deeply coloured, floral, very fresh and vibrant Matakana red with blackberry, plum and spice flavours, ripe, supple tannins and a savoury oak influence (French, 65% new.)
Comments Off on Mahurangi River Reserve Syrah 2013 / 0 View / June 9, 2017
Posted: June 9, 2017
Dark and fleshy, with strong plum and spice flavours, hints of herbs, olives and licorice, and ripe, chewy tannins. (From Awaroa.)
Comments Off on Waiheke Road Syrah 2013 / 0 View / June 9, 2017
Posted: June 9, 2017
Estate-grown, this Northland red is maturing well. Full and moderately youthful in colour, it has strong, savoury, nutty flavours, showing excellent balance and length.
Comments Off on Okahu Syrah 2010 / 0 View / June 9, 2017
Posted: June 9, 2017
Fragrant and deeply coloured, with good weight and ripe, plum and black pepper flavours, strong and smooth. Youthful, strongly varietal style that lingers well.
Comments Off on Awaroa Waiheke Island Syrah 2013 / 0 View / June 9, 2017
Posted: June 9, 2017
Powerful, rich, vibrant Waiheke Island red with good weight, strong, fresh, plum and spice flavours and supple tannins. Well worth cellaring.
Comments Off on Goldie Reserve Syrah 2013 / 0 View / June 9, 2017
Posted: June 9, 2017
Highly fragrant, deeply coloured Waiheke Island red. ‘Serious’ but delicious red with lovely weight and depth of plum and spice flavours, youthful and lasting. Should be long-lived.
Comments Off on Awaroa Melba Peach Syrah 2013 / 0 View / June 9, 2017
Posted: June 9, 2017
A lovely fresh and fleshy wine that’s in excellent condition with stylish lifted raspberry fruit, balancing oak and warming alcohol.
Comments Off on Streicker Bridgeland Block Margaret River Syrah 2011 / 0 View / June 9, 2017
Posted: June 9, 2017
A bright perfumed mulberry bouquet and a silky smooth palate with intense spicy varietal fruit and peppercorn like elements integrated with the oak and finishing warm.
Comments Off on Vinaceous Right Reverend V Benevolentia Frankland River Mount Barker Syrah 2013 / 0 View / June 9, 2017
Posted: June 9, 2017
Rich and complex with subtle earthy/plum bouquet and intense mulberry/plum flavours showing good balance and freshness.
Comments Off on Rust en Vrede Estate Vineyards Stellenbosch Syrah 2012 / 0 View / June 9, 2017
Posted: April 28, 2017
A powerful oak driven style of shiraz but the varietal fruit still shines through.
Comments Off on Wolf Blass Gold Label Adelaide Hills Syrah 2012 / 0 View / April 28, 2017
Posted: April 26, 2017
This savoury, complex Matakana red is a blend of cabernet franc, merlot and malbec. Full and still fairly youthful in colour, it is distinctly Bordeaux-like, with mouthfilling body and very satisfying depth of blackcurrant, berry, spice and nut flavours, seasoned…
Comments Off on Gillman Syrah 2009 / 0 View / April 26, 2017
Posted: April 26, 2017
Already drinking well, this is a refined, supple red, matured for 16 months in all-new oak barriques. Full-coloured, it is fragrant, with ripe plum, spice and nut flavours, showing excellent depth, roundness, complexity and harmony.
Comments Off on Expatrius Waiheke Island Syrah 2012 / 0 View / April 26, 2017
Posted: April 26, 2017
Set for a long life, this powerful, concentrated red is still youthful. Grown in The 8 Vineyard and matured for 16 months in all-new oak barriques, it is deeply coloured and muscular (15% alc/vol), but not heavy, with dense blackcurrant,…
Comments Off on Frenchmans Hill Estate Rock Earth Waiheke Island Syrah 2010 / 0 View / April 26, 2017
Posted: April 26, 2017
A vanillin oak bomb of a wine that has barrel ferment complexity and some great varietal fruit. It is a soft and elegant shiraz.
Comments Off on Bellbrae Estate Bells Geelong Syrah 2013 / 0 View / April 26, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Enjoyable young, this very lightly oaked wine is ruby hued, floral and supple, in a medium-bodied, slightly savoury style with fresh plum and black pepper flavours to the fore. $20 (UK)
Comments Off on Sileni Cellar Selection Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Still very youthful, this is a deep ruby red, medium-bodied, floral and supple. Barrel-aged for 20 months, it is vibrant and smooth, with fresh acidity and plenty of plummy, gently spicy flavour. Best drinking 2018+. $35 (UK)
Comments Off on Spy Valley Marlborough Syrah 2014 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Maturing well, this deeply coloured red was matured for nine months in French oak barriques (25% new). Mouthfilling and smooth, it is ripe and savoury, with gentle tannins and strong, plummy, spicy flavours, showing good complexity and harmony. Drink now-2020….
Comments Off on Sileni The Peak Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Already drinking well, this full-coloured, fine value red has a very floral bouquet, with hints of plums and black pepper. Softly mouthfilling, it has generous, ripe plum/spice flavours, hints of licorice and dark chocolate, slightly nutty notes adding complexity, and…
Comments Off on Church Road Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Full of potential, this rich, sturdy red was grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and the Gimblett Gravels, matured for 17 months in French oak casks, and bottled unfiltered. Powerful yet elegant, it is still very youthful, with dense plum…
Comments Off on Church Road Grand Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Fresh, lively, single-vineyard Northland red, matured in old French barriques. Full-coloured, medium-bodied wine, with plum, spice, herb and olive flavours, showing some savoury complexity. $24
Comments Off on Byrne Puketotara Syrah 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Easy-drinking Waiheke Island red, full-coloured, with a peppery, slightly earthy bouquet. Generous plum, spice and dried herb flavours, gently seasoned with toasty oak, and a smooth finish. $38
Comments Off on Obsidian Estate Syrah 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Full-coloured, medium weight Waiheke Island red with fresh, plummy, spicy flavours, hints of olives and herbs, a gentle seasoning of toasty oak, fine-grained tannins and a smooth finish. $38
Comments Off on Awaroa Syrah 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Generous, weighty Northland red with full, bright colour and excellent richnesss through the palate. Strong, ripe, red berry and spice flavours, seasoned with sweet oak. One judge scored it five stars. $38
Comments Off on The Landing Syrah 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Maturing gracefully, this Northland red is deeply coloured, with good weight, concentrated, spicy flavours, hints of olives and licorice, toasty, savoury notes adding complexity and a smooth, lengthy finish. $30
Comments Off on Mahinepua Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Dark, weighty, single-vineyard red, matured in French and American oak casks (14% new). Fragrant and full-bodied, with rich, strongly varietal blackberry, plum and spice flavours, good complexity and a lingering finish. One judge scored it five stars. $38 (A, UK,…
Comments Off on Soho Valentina Waiheke Island Syrah 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Maturing well, this coastal Northland red was matured in French oak casks (33% new). The colour is deep and youthful; the palate dense and smooth-flowing, with concentrated plum, spice and slight licorice flavours, and a finely structured finish. Best drinking…
Comments Off on The Landing Syrah 2013 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Fragrant, peppery, single-vineyard Northland red, matured in French oak casks (50% new). Concentrated blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, hints of raisins and smoky oak, and impressive ripeness and depth. $36
Comments Off on Byrne Te Puna Syrah 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Concentrated, finely textured Waiheke Island red, still very youthful. Rich black berry, spice, licorice and toasty oak flavours, with fine-grained tannins and excellent balance and length. Well worth cellaring. One judge scored it five stars. $65
Comments Off on Awaroa Melba Peach Syrah 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Strongly varietal, single-vineyard Northland red, matured in French oak barriques (one-third new). Full-coloured, perfumed, weighty and savoury, with excellent depth of blackcurrant, plum, licorice and spice flavours, seasoned with toasty oak, and ripe, supple tannins. Fine value. $32
Comments Off on Byrne Waingaro Syrah 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
A very pleasant and appealing wine with powerful fruit aromas and rich spicy fruit flavours with an earthy element. 5+
Comments Off on Eden Road Wines Canberra Syrah 2013 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
An attractive bright purple wine. Plenty of plums and berries on the nose leading to a lovely smooth berry palate. Good flavour length. 3-5
Comments Off on Tamburlaine Reserve Orange Syrah 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Nice peppery lift to the blackberry nose. Lovely fresh spicy plum flavours with more pepper notes.
Comments Off on Caught Red Handed Wines Nouveau Adelaide Hills Syrah 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Aromas of blackberries, pepper and spices. Intense dark red berry palate, some licorice like age. Excellent velvety tannins.
Comments Off on Sew & Sew Contour Series Adelaide Hills Syrah 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Nutty nougat nose with black olive notes. Excellent palate that has intense juby red berry fruit flavours with hints of licorice and aniseed and great oak integration.
Comments Off on Mr Riggs Piebald Adelaide Hills Syrah 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017