New Zealand Syrah is a wine that really speaks of where it is from, and this Gimblett Gravels Syrah – picked from across the blocks in the Craggy Range vineyard, has a gorgeous deep garnet-purple edged appearance in the glass and the classic Hawke’s Bay lifted aromas of violets and lavender – but it’s that graphite, iron-earth flavour profile that reveals where it was grown.
Back to the nose – it’s an alluring perfume led by those florals, but with white pepper, cherry, bramble and damson plum. Still young and quite tight. Medium bodied and with a supple tannin width that accentuates the ripe but edgy tension of the palate. Warmed with spices and a toastiness from the oak, and an interesting balsam, almost tar note in layer at the back of the palate. The finish is long and generous. 92 pts.
