Mills Reef Estate Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2020 $18 Great value syrah here, buckets of red fruit. redcurrant, red apple and plum layers on the nose and palate merge with soft tannins, hints of pepper and earthy spices on the palate. Juicy, easy and a superb introduction to Hawke’s Bay syrah. Mills Reef
syrah
A Little Maison Noire Magic – BayBuzz Magazine Christmas Issue 2022
Santé to Maison Noire by Yvonne LorkinNovember 29, 2022 Photo: Florence Charvin “My perfect Christmas present?” asks artist Esther Smith. “Easy. A trailer load of mulch.” Not exactly what I was expecting when asking Esther and her husband, winemaker Guillaume Thomas of Maison Noire wines, what their Christmas wishes were for 2022. But as I quickly … Read More
Known Unknown Pakipaki Syrah 2021
Known Unknown Pakipaki Syrah 2021 $37 Just south of Hastings in Hawke’ Bay is the sleepy hamlet of Pakipaki, famous for its deep, limestone soils (there’s even a limestone quarry nearby), soils that aren’t your typical base for a place where syrah is more famous for growing in its gravel-rich appellations. Whole-bunch fermented for a … Read More
Brookfields Hillside Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2020
Brookfields Hillside Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2020 $45 Peter Robertson only makes this, his flagship syrah, when the fruit is exceptional. Sourced from 26yo vines growing on the gentle, sun-baked slopes of the Lyons’ family Hillside vineyard in the Bridge Pa triangle district. It produces tiny bunches of pure and vibrant, violet-scented, berries that create a … Read More
Squawking Magpie Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2020
Squawking Magpie Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2020 ($25tbc) Glossy garnet coloured and inky in the glass, scented with bouquet-garni and bay alongside ripe berries and plum complexity. 2020 was a stunning year for syrah in Hawke’s Bay and the team at Squawking Magpie are guns when it comes to maximising every opportunity where great fruit … Read More
Kokako Farms Ohiti Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014
Kokako Farms Ohiti Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 $30 While Hawke’s Bay syrah fans are geeking out over the Gimblett Gravels, I’m quietly having an Ohiti house party over here in Lorkinland. Winegrower Bruce Nimon is obsessed with finding great soils, and in between a cow paddock and an old stockman’s station is a little … Read More
Smith & Sheth CRU Heretaunga Hawke’s Bay Rosé of Syrah 2021
Smith & Sheth CRU Heretaunga Hawke’s Bay Rosé of Syrah 2021 $40 Lovers of Hawke’s Bay syrah will be familiar with its super-stylish, classic black pepper and violet voice, however, it may not be on your radar as a grape that absolutely roars when crafted carefully into a rosé. Lucky for us, Master of Wine … Read More
Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2020
Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2020 $24.99 Clearly the syrah gods were shining on Trinity hill during the 2020 summer because this syrah is an absolute stunner. That they’ve managed to cram in so much character for under $25 is a phenomenal feat. The aromas display an exhaustive array of peppercorn, dark, exotic florals, damson … Read More
Maison Noire Home Block Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2020
Maison Noire Home Block Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2020 $40 Wow. This is one sexy wine! Deep, glossy and crimson-hued, I love the waft of caramelised spices, coffee, sweet cocoa and buckets of baked fruit on the nose. It’s intensely fragrant and gushes with peppercorns, red currant and smoked cherry flavours on the palate. The tannins … Read More
Maison Noire Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2020
Maison Noire Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2020 $25 With its deliciously soft tannins, pencil shavings complexity, fragrant pepper, redcurrant, pomegranate, juicy spices and Black Doris plum punchiness, this is a superb example from a hugely exciting red wine vintage. Just 85 dozen bottles were made to satisfy a growing fanbase, so best you get in quick … Read More