Reserve Hawkes Bay Syrah 2016

Winemakers Notes

Our third Reserve Syrah is made from fruit from our Chalk Ridge block, just to the south of Havelock North. It is a steep, north facing amphitheatre that is strewn with fossilised limestone. A tiny amount of Viognier (1.6%) from the same block was whole cluster, co-fermented with the Syrah to add fragrance and complexity and to help fix the colour. Vintage 2016 was a stunner and the vineyard was in excellent condition at harvest. The block was hand harvested on 12 April and the wine spent around 8 months in French oak (20% new) before assemblage. Bottling was on 31 July 2017.

 
Analysis

Alc	13.5%
Acid	6.5 g/L
Res sugar	21.3g/L
pH	3.57

Tasting Notes

Colour:	A beautiful deep purple/red, with a dense, dark core and bright, flashing purple rim.
Bouquet:	The essence of Hawkes Bay Syrah: masses of black fruits, a touch of pepper, some meatiness and lovely, savoury oak.
Palate:	A beautifully structured wine. Full bodied with silken tannins and great length. The fruit in the mid palate lasts and lasts

Cellaring
This wine will drink beautifully from release and then cellar out to around five years in the correct environment.
 
Food Matches
The soft tannins, ripe fruit flavours, black pepper and spice make this wine a great accompaniment to many meat dishes such as lamb, venison, beef and game. The bolder and more complex style means that it will stand up to richer flavours and accompaniments.  
           
Independent Reviewer’s Comment

“True to variety, this is impeccably styled showing dark plum, blueberry and violet characters with a seamlessly textured, flowing mouthfeel.”

 
Awards

CHAMPION SYRAH	Air NZ Wine Awards, Nov 2017
GOLD MEDAL	Air NZ Wine Awards, Nov 2017

 

Tasting Notes - Download PDFs

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