Winemakers’ ReserveHawke's Bay Syrah
This charming Syrah is crafted from carefully grapes grown in our sustainably certified vineyards Hawke’s Bay. Hints of black pepper, soft tannins and a stunning flavour profile of forest berries, plum and vanilla.
Dark plum and raspberry aromas with fruitcake and a touch of cedar. Milk chocolate notes.
Sweet, dark and spicy entry suggesting plum and black pepper. The mid-palate is warm and generous with flavours of cherry introduced. Seamless and plush.
Sweet, dark and spicy entry suggesting plum and black pepper. The mid-palate is warm and generous with flavours of cherry introduced. Seamless and plush.
The grapes were de-stemmed, but not crushed, then placed in open top vats to ferment. Skin contact continued for three weeks after the ferment was completed, then the free run juice was put to barrel for malolactic fermentation. After 12 months the wines were assessed, assembled, lightly fined, and then bottled.
The sweet fruit flavours, edged by savoury oak make this award winning wine an ideal partner to red meat dishes. Try it with pan-fried lamb cutlets, or with braised beef spooned over mashed potatoes.
4.5 STARS - Michael Cooper - michaelcooperwines.com
"Still unfolding, the 2018 vintage (****1/2) was co-fermented with Viognier and matured for a year in French oak barrels (25 per cent new). It has full, bright, still youthful colour. Mouthfilling and savoury, it has vibrant dark berry and spice flavours, showing excellent depth, vigour and complexity, and a firmly structured finish. A very ageworthy red, it should be at its best from 2026 onwards." - Michael Cooper, michaelcooperwines.com
"Still unfolding, the 2018 vintage (****1/2) was co-fermented with Viognier and matured for a year in French oak barrels (25 per cent new). It has full, bright, still youthful colour. Mouthfilling and savoury, it has vibrant dark berry and spice flavours, showing excellent depth, vigour and complexity, and a firmly structured finish. A very ageworthy red, it should be at its best from 2026 onwards." - Michael Cooper, michaelcooperwines.com
Aromas of forest berries, floral notes, vanilla and a hint of black pepper. Sweet and darkly fruited entry and mid-palate with soft tannins. Medium weight and supple with liquorice and spice joining on the finish. Well balanced and charming.
These grapes were harvested, after a long steady ripening through late summer/ early autumn, from our St John vineyard in Hawke’s Bay. The fruit was fermented in open vats with frequent plunging of the “cap”. After an extended period on skins young wine was drained to new (25%) and old French oak for maturation for a period of 8 months.
The sweet fruit flavours, edged by savoury oak make this award winning wine an ideal partner to red meat dishes. Try it with pan-fried lamb cutlets, or with braised beef spooned over mashed potatoes.
GOLD MEDAL - China Wine & Spirits Awards 2019
93 POINTS - James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com, 2018
4 STARS - Winestate Magazine, Nov/Dec 2018 issue
SILVER MEDAL - New Zealand Royal Easter Show Wine Awards 2019
SILVER MEDAL - International Wine Challenge China 2019
4 STARS - Michael Cooper, www.michaelcooper.co.nz, Jul 2019
4 STARS - Winestate Magazine, Nov 2019 issue
"Dark, even ruby-red colour with youthful purple hues and some depth, lighter on the rim. The nose is firm and intense with well-concentrated aromas of blackberry and dark raspberry fruit melded with a layer of white pepper, unfolding an amalgam of fragrant violet florals and Asian spices. Medium-bodied, the palate is taut and elegant in proportion, somewhat slender in presentation, with a fine core of blackberry and dark raspberry fruit interwoven with a layer of white pepper and dark-red and violet florals. The fruit is supported by fine-grained tannin extraction and the palate is enlivened by crisp acidity lending plenty of energy and tension. The wine flows along a slippery line, leading to a lingering finish of fruits and white pepper. This is a taut and slender Syrah with some intensity of blackberry and raspberry fruit melded with white pepper and florals on a fine, slippery palate."
-Raymond Chan, raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, Apr 2018
"Ripe, fruity, toasty and smoky. Aromas then flavours of wild raspberry, plum and peppercorn. Firm youthful tannins and a core of fruit to contrast. Plenty of acidity then a renewed attack of fruit and oak. Quite dry, quite youthful, needs some cellar time."
90 POINTS -Cameron Douglas, MS, June 2018
"This fresh, full-bodied red was grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and French oak-aged for eight months. Deep ruby, it has strong, plummy, spicy flavours, showing good complexity, and a backbone of fine-grained tannins. A ‘forward’ vintage, it should be at its best 2020+"
4 STARS -Winestate Magazine, Nov/Dec 2018 issue
"Ripe, assertive plums and blackberries on the nose deliver a fresh and energetic syrah that has plenty of peppery and spicy interest. The palate makes a play into silky, smooth territory with fine, ribbon-like tannins carrying spiced black fruit long and fresh."
93 POINTS -James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com, 2018
"The 2017 vintage (4*) is a fresh, full-bodied red, grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and French oak-matured for eight months. Retasted in April 2019, it is deep ruby, with a fragrant, peppery bouquet. It has strong, youthful, plummy, spicy flavours, showing good complexity, and a backbone of fine-grained tannins. A 'forward' vintage, but also worth cellaring, it should be at its best 2021+."
4.5 STARS -Michael Cooper, www.michaelcooper.co.nz, Jul 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, complexity and texture."
4 STARS -Winestate Magazine, Nov 2019 issue
93 POINTS - James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com, 2018
4 STARS - Winestate Magazine, Nov/Dec 2018 issue
SILVER MEDAL - New Zealand Royal Easter Show Wine Awards 2019
SILVER MEDAL - International Wine Challenge China 2019
4 STARS - Michael Cooper, www.michaelcooper.co.nz, Jul 2019
4 STARS - Winestate Magazine, Nov 2019 issue
"Dark, even ruby-red colour with youthful purple hues and some depth, lighter on the rim. The nose is firm and intense with well-concentrated aromas of blackberry and dark raspberry fruit melded with a layer of white pepper, unfolding an amalgam of fragrant violet florals and Asian spices. Medium-bodied, the palate is taut and elegant in proportion, somewhat slender in presentation, with a fine core of blackberry and dark raspberry fruit interwoven with a layer of white pepper and dark-red and violet florals. The fruit is supported by fine-grained tannin extraction and the palate is enlivened by crisp acidity lending plenty of energy and tension. The wine flows along a slippery line, leading to a lingering finish of fruits and white pepper. This is a taut and slender Syrah with some intensity of blackberry and raspberry fruit melded with white pepper and florals on a fine, slippery palate."
-Raymond Chan, raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, Apr 2018
"Ripe, fruity, toasty and smoky. Aromas then flavours of wild raspberry, plum and peppercorn. Firm youthful tannins and a core of fruit to contrast. Plenty of acidity then a renewed attack of fruit and oak. Quite dry, quite youthful, needs some cellar time."
90 POINTS -Cameron Douglas, MS, June 2018
"This fresh, full-bodied red was grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and French oak-aged for eight months. Deep ruby, it has strong, plummy, spicy flavours, showing good complexity, and a backbone of fine-grained tannins. A ‘forward’ vintage, it should be at its best 2020+"
4 STARS -Winestate Magazine, Nov/Dec 2018 issue
"Ripe, assertive plums and blackberries on the nose deliver a fresh and energetic syrah that has plenty of peppery and spicy interest. The palate makes a play into silky, smooth territory with fine, ribbon-like tannins carrying spiced black fruit long and fresh."
93 POINTS -James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com, 2018
"The 2017 vintage (4*) is a fresh, full-bodied red, grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and French oak-matured for eight months. Retasted in April 2019, it is deep ruby, with a fragrant, peppery bouquet. It has strong, youthful, plummy, spicy flavours, showing good complexity, and a backbone of fine-grained tannins. A 'forward' vintage, but also worth cellaring, it should be at its best 2021+."
4.5 STARS -Michael Cooper, www.michaelcooper.co.nz, Jul 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, complexity and texture."
4 STARS -Winestate Magazine, Nov 2019 issue
Aromas of dried herb and violets with dark fruits, mineral and white spice/ pepper. Powerful and dense palate with fine tannins, sweet black fruits and cocoa. A hint of cherry on the long finish.
These grapes were harvested, after a long steady ripening through late summer/ early autumn, from our St John vineyard in Hawke’s Bay. The fruit was fermented in open vats with frequent plunging of the “cap”. After an extended period on skins young wine was drained to new (25%) and old French oak for maturation for a period of 9 months.
The sweet fruit flavours, edged by savoury oak make this award winning wine an ideal partner to red meat dishes. Try it with pan-fried lamb cutlets, or with braised beef spooned over mashed potatoes.
Dark rich fruits, clove, liquorice and spice with some black pepper on the nose. Powerful and dense palate with fine tannins, sweet black fruits and cocoa. A hint of cherry on the long finish.
These grapes were harvested, after a long steady ripening through late summer/ early autumn, from our St John vineyard in Hawke’s Bay. The fruit was fermented in open vats with frequent plunging of the “cap”. After an extended period on skins young wine was drained to new (25%) and old French oak for maturation for a period of 12 months.
The sweet fruit flavours, edged by savoury oak make this award winning wine an ideal partner to red meat dishes. Try it with pan-fried lamb cutlets, or with braised beef spooned over mashed potatoes.
GOLD MEDAL - International Wine & Spirits Competition 2016
4 STARS - Winestate Magazine, Nov/Dec 2016 issue
4 STARS - Michael Cooper, Michael Cooper's 2017 Buyers Guide
"Concentrated, firmly structured red, grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle. Dark, with a fragrant bouquet of violets, oak complexity and a strong surge of plum, spice and slight licorice flavours. Well worth cellaring."
4 STARS -Winestate Magazine, Nov/Dec issue 2016
"Smoky, toasty, rich, fruity, ripe and juicy fruits bouquet; just enough peppery spice and toasty brown spices. On the palate – juicy, fresh, fruity, dry, spicy and very flavourful; a tasty example with medium tannins and weight, medium+ acidity and finish; overall balanced and well made."
93 POINTS -Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, TheShout FMCG, Nov 2016
"The 2015 vintage is a concentrated, firmly structured red, grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and French oak-aged for a year. Dark, with a fragrant bouquet of violets, oak complexity and a strong surge of plum, spice and slight liquorice flavours, it's well worth cellaring."
4 STARS -Michael Cooper, Michael Cooper's 2017 Buyers Guide
"Full, deep, near impenetrable black-red colour with youthful purple hues on the rim. This has an elegantly concentrated nose with aromas of ripe blackberry fruit along with aromatic violet and black floral perfumes and suggestions of lavender, unfolding liquorice, spices, game, earth and notes of white pepper. Medium-bodied, the palate is soft and smooth with a finely concentrated core of blackberry fruit along with an amalgam of white pepper, violet florals and spices with hints of liquorice and game. The mouthfeel is smooth with fine-grained tannin extraction and integrated acidity, and the wine carries to a long finish of blackberries, pepper and florals. This is a finely concentrate, smooth-flowing aromatic Syrah with blackberry fruit lifted by white pepper and floral notes."
-Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, April 2017
4 STARS - Winestate Magazine, Nov/Dec 2016 issue
4 STARS - Michael Cooper, Michael Cooper's 2017 Buyers Guide
"Concentrated, firmly structured red, grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle. Dark, with a fragrant bouquet of violets, oak complexity and a strong surge of plum, spice and slight licorice flavours. Well worth cellaring."
4 STARS -Winestate Magazine, Nov/Dec issue 2016
"Smoky, toasty, rich, fruity, ripe and juicy fruits bouquet; just enough peppery spice and toasty brown spices. On the palate – juicy, fresh, fruity, dry, spicy and very flavourful; a tasty example with medium tannins and weight, medium+ acidity and finish; overall balanced and well made."
93 POINTS -Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, TheShout FMCG, Nov 2016
"The 2015 vintage is a concentrated, firmly structured red, grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and French oak-aged for a year. Dark, with a fragrant bouquet of violets, oak complexity and a strong surge of plum, spice and slight liquorice flavours, it's well worth cellaring."
4 STARS -Michael Cooper, Michael Cooper's 2017 Buyers Guide
"Full, deep, near impenetrable black-red colour with youthful purple hues on the rim. This has an elegantly concentrated nose with aromas of ripe blackberry fruit along with aromatic violet and black floral perfumes and suggestions of lavender, unfolding liquorice, spices, game, earth and notes of white pepper. Medium-bodied, the palate is soft and smooth with a finely concentrated core of blackberry fruit along with an amalgam of white pepper, violet florals and spices with hints of liquorice and game. The mouthfeel is smooth with fine-grained tannin extraction and integrated acidity, and the wine carries to a long finish of blackberries, pepper and florals. This is a finely concentrate, smooth-flowing aromatic Syrah with blackberry fruit lifted by white pepper and floral notes."
-Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, April 2017
Aromas of dark and sweet with liquorice, vanilla and cracked pepper. Sweet and rich entry, soft yet well structured. Lingering plum and spice.
These grapes were harvested, after a long steady ripening through late summer/ early autumn, from our St John vineyard in Hawke’s Bay. The fruit was fermented in open vats with frequent plunging of the “cap”. After an extended period on skins young wine was drained to new (35%) and old French oak for maturation for a period of 12 months.
The sweet fruit flavours, edged by savoury oak make this award winning wine an ideal partner to red meat dishes. Try it with pan-fried lamb cutlets, or with braised beef spooned over mashed potatoes.
PURE SILVER - Bragato Wine Awards 2015
95+ POINTS - Decanter Magazine Nov 2015 issue
93 POINTS - Natalie Maclean, www.nataliemaclean.com, Jan 2017
4 STARS, 18 POINTS - Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, Jan 2016
"Babich has always made its Winemakers’ Reserve Syrah from its own Gimblett Gravels vineyard. About 18 months ago the family bought another vineyard in the nearby Bridge Pa Triangle district of Hawke’s Bay and made Syrah from both areas. When they tasted samples of both, the wine from the heavier soils of Bridge Pa was deemed better. It certainly seemed to produce a wine with more pronounced peppery character. The wine was matured in French oak barriques for 12 months."
18.75/20 (95+/100) POINTS -Decanter Magazine Nov 2015 issue
"Very full, black-hued ruby-red colour with slight purple hues, youthful in appearance. This has a soft, full and beautifully harmonious and integrated nose of ripe blackberry fruit melded with dark plums, black pepper, minerals and Asian spices. The aromatics have a gentle lift and are softly concentrated with depth that grows in the glass. Medium-full bodied, the fruit is bright and aromatic, sweet and juicy, rich and luscious with flavours of ripe black and dark red berry fruit entwined with plums, black pepper, violet florals and Asian spices. The mouthfeel is smooth and harmonious with the fruit richness balanced and supported by supple tannins and framework. The palate has depth and density, and a softly driven core with some underlying power carrying the wine to a soft and well-sustained finish of black fruits, florals, pepper and spices. This is a smooth and harmonious Syrah with rich fruit, supple and balanced structure and lovely palate flow. Match with Asian and middle Eastern fare over the next 4-5 years."
4 STARS 18/20 POINTS -Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, Jan 2016
95+ POINTS - Decanter Magazine Nov 2015 issue
93 POINTS - Natalie Maclean, www.nataliemaclean.com, Jan 2017
4 STARS, 18 POINTS - Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, Jan 2016
"Babich has always made its Winemakers’ Reserve Syrah from its own Gimblett Gravels vineyard. About 18 months ago the family bought another vineyard in the nearby Bridge Pa Triangle district of Hawke’s Bay and made Syrah from both areas. When they tasted samples of both, the wine from the heavier soils of Bridge Pa was deemed better. It certainly seemed to produce a wine with more pronounced peppery character. The wine was matured in French oak barriques for 12 months."
18.75/20 (95+/100) POINTS -Decanter Magazine Nov 2015 issue
"Very full, black-hued ruby-red colour with slight purple hues, youthful in appearance. This has a soft, full and beautifully harmonious and integrated nose of ripe blackberry fruit melded with dark plums, black pepper, minerals and Asian spices. The aromatics have a gentle lift and are softly concentrated with depth that grows in the glass. Medium-full bodied, the fruit is bright and aromatic, sweet and juicy, rich and luscious with flavours of ripe black and dark red berry fruit entwined with plums, black pepper, violet florals and Asian spices. The mouthfeel is smooth and harmonious with the fruit richness balanced and supported by supple tannins and framework. The palate has depth and density, and a softly driven core with some underlying power carrying the wine to a soft and well-sustained finish of black fruits, florals, pepper and spices. This is a smooth and harmonious Syrah with rich fruit, supple and balanced structure and lovely palate flow. Match with Asian and middle Eastern fare over the next 4-5 years."
4 STARS 18/20 POINTS -Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, Jan 2016
Beautifully scented, dark fruits, dark spice and raspberry. Elegant and concentrated sweet and savoury notes embrace fine, dense tannins. Sweet, earthy spices linger on the finish.
These grapes were harvested, after a long steady ripening through late summer/ early autumn, from our Gimblett Road vineyard in Hawke’s Bay. The fruit was fermented in open vats with frequent plunging of the “cap”. After an extended period on skins young wine was drained to new (35%) and old French oak for maturation for a period of nine months.
The sweet fruit flavours, edged by savoury oak make this award winning wine an ideal partner to red meat dishes. Try it with pan-fried lamb cutlets, or with braised beef spooned over mashed potatoes.
4.5 STARS - Winestate Magazine, Nov/Dec 2014 issue
5 STARS - Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, Sept 2014
GOLD MEDAL - China Wine & Spirits Awards Best Value 2015
91 POINTS - The Wine Advocate, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, eRobertParker.com#216 (Part 2) Jan 2015
5 STARS - Master Sommelier Cameron Douglas, May 2015 issue of TheShout NZ/Hospitality Business
"Weighty, bold red with deep, ripe blackcurrant, plum and black pepper flavours and well-integrated oak. Still very youthful, but rich, finely textured and harmonious, with a long future ahead."
4.5 STARS -Winestate Magazine, Nov/Dec 2014 issue
"Full, very dark, near impenetrable black-hued purple red colour, very youthful in appearance. The nose features rich, ripe, vibrant, blackberry fruit entwined with spicy oak and black pepper. This has a deeply concentrated core that opens to reveal an array of aromas including dark plum, jam and aromatic florals, herbs and exotic spices. Medium-full bodied, sweet and luscious flavours of ripe blackberries, plums and pepper form a tight and intense core. The fruit is vibrant and energetic with integrated acidity and fine-grained background tannin structure in support. The flavours grow, unfolding layers of oak spices and aromatic cedar nuances on a long, lingering finish. This is an elegant, vibrantly juicy and sweet-fruited Syrah with spicy and cedary layers."
5 STARS -Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, Sept 2014
"Deep garnet-purple, the 2013 Winemakers' Reserve Syrah has gorgeous black cherry, blackberry and baking spice elements with some freshly ground pepper in the background, plus suggestions of clove and earth. Medium bodied, it offers tons of flavour in the mouth and a good medium-firm level of rounded tannins, with a lovely freshness coming in the long and layered finish."
91 POINTS -The Wine Advocate, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, eRobertParker.com #216 (Part 2) Jan 2015
"A bouquet packed with toasty oak, black fruit, white and black pepper with a masculine punch. On the palate – dry, rich, fruity and flavourful – a wine with lots of sweet oak and black fruit flavours, medium+ acidity and big tannins; salivating flavours and a long finish. Very well made wine - must like oak though."
5 STARS -Master Sommelier Cameron Douglas, May 2015 issue of TheShout NZ/Hospitality Business
"Medium deep colour. Fresh redcurrant pastille, graphite white pepper aromas. Medium concentrated with redcurrant, herb flavours, fine loose knit slinky textures and excellent mineral length. Finishes al dente firm with some cola notes. Elegantly styled wine."
-Hawke's Bay 2013 Annual Vintage Selection, 2015
5 STARS - Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, Sept 2014
GOLD MEDAL - China Wine & Spirits Awards Best Value 2015
91 POINTS - The Wine Advocate, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, eRobertParker.com#216 (Part 2) Jan 2015
5 STARS - Master Sommelier Cameron Douglas, May 2015 issue of TheShout NZ/Hospitality Business
"Weighty, bold red with deep, ripe blackcurrant, plum and black pepper flavours and well-integrated oak. Still very youthful, but rich, finely textured and harmonious, with a long future ahead."
4.5 STARS -Winestate Magazine, Nov/Dec 2014 issue
"Full, very dark, near impenetrable black-hued purple red colour, very youthful in appearance. The nose features rich, ripe, vibrant, blackberry fruit entwined with spicy oak and black pepper. This has a deeply concentrated core that opens to reveal an array of aromas including dark plum, jam and aromatic florals, herbs and exotic spices. Medium-full bodied, sweet and luscious flavours of ripe blackberries, plums and pepper form a tight and intense core. The fruit is vibrant and energetic with integrated acidity and fine-grained background tannin structure in support. The flavours grow, unfolding layers of oak spices and aromatic cedar nuances on a long, lingering finish. This is an elegant, vibrantly juicy and sweet-fruited Syrah with spicy and cedary layers."
5 STARS -Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, Sept 2014
"Deep garnet-purple, the 2013 Winemakers' Reserve Syrah has gorgeous black cherry, blackberry and baking spice elements with some freshly ground pepper in the background, plus suggestions of clove and earth. Medium bodied, it offers tons of flavour in the mouth and a good medium-firm level of rounded tannins, with a lovely freshness coming in the long and layered finish."
91 POINTS -The Wine Advocate, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, eRobertParker.com #216 (Part 2) Jan 2015
"A bouquet packed with toasty oak, black fruit, white and black pepper with a masculine punch. On the palate – dry, rich, fruity and flavourful – a wine with lots of sweet oak and black fruit flavours, medium+ acidity and big tannins; salivating flavours and a long finish. Very well made wine - must like oak though."
5 STARS -Master Sommelier Cameron Douglas, May 2015 issue of TheShout NZ/Hospitality Business
"Medium deep colour. Fresh redcurrant pastille, graphite white pepper aromas. Medium concentrated with redcurrant, herb flavours, fine loose knit slinky textures and excellent mineral length. Finishes al dente firm with some cola notes. Elegantly styled wine."
-Hawke's Bay 2013 Annual Vintage Selection, 2015
Aromas of black plum and black pepper and spices, followed by a vibrant and refreshing palate. Soft tannins, lovely fruit intensity and elegant structure.
These grapes were harvested, after a long steady ripening through late summer/ early autumn, from our Gimblett Road vineyard in Hawke’s Bay. The fruit was fermented in open vats with frequent plunging of the “cap”. The young wine went to new and old French oak for maturation for a period of nine months.
The sweet fruit flavours, edged by savoury oak make this award winning wine an ideal partner to red meat dishes. Try it with pan-fried lamb cutlets, or with braised beef spooned over mashed potatoes.
4 STARS - Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, March 2014
GOLD MEDAL -China Wine & Spirits Awards 2014
"It's youthful and fragrant on the nose displaying red/black plum, game and spice aromas, followed by a juicy palate that's vibrant and refreshing. Lovely fruit intensity and elegant structure."
- Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, www.wineorbit.co.nz, November 2013
"Very full, deep, black-hued ruby-red colour, near impenetrable. The bouquet is elegant and tightly held, with a complex and layered infusion of black berried fruit, herbs, game, earthy reduction, revealing black pepper, spices and violet florals that unfold from the core. Medium-light bodied, light and restrained, but positively expressed fruit flavours of black berries, black pepper and spices are framed by soft tannins and rounded extraction. The acidity is soft, and mouthfeel gentle, allowing the flavours to open out and fill the palate. The flavours recede quietly leaving a subtle, sweetly nuanced finish. This is a restrained Syrah with softly sweet flavours. Serve with Asian and Middle Eastern fare over the next 4 years."
4 STARS 17.5/20 POINTS -Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, March 2014
GOLD MEDAL -China Wine & Spirits Awards 2014
"It's youthful and fragrant on the nose displaying red/black plum, game and spice aromas, followed by a juicy palate that's vibrant and refreshing. Lovely fruit intensity and elegant structure."
- Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, www.wineorbit.co.nz, November 2013
"Very full, deep, black-hued ruby-red colour, near impenetrable. The bouquet is elegant and tightly held, with a complex and layered infusion of black berried fruit, herbs, game, earthy reduction, revealing black pepper, spices and violet florals that unfold from the core. Medium-light bodied, light and restrained, but positively expressed fruit flavours of black berries, black pepper and spices are framed by soft tannins and rounded extraction. The acidity is soft, and mouthfeel gentle, allowing the flavours to open out and fill the palate. The flavours recede quietly leaving a subtle, sweetly nuanced finish. This is a restrained Syrah with softly sweet flavours. Serve with Asian and Middle Eastern fare over the next 4 years."
4 STARS 17.5/20 POINTS -Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, March 2014
