Glossy, richly textured, but savoury and still youthful: lovely unforced style here – brown spice, a contained richness of black cherry fruit, still closed. For that opulent fruit suggestion, it’s so balanced and even. Dark fruit, olives, a line of dark fruit. Just a bit bony on the finish. But just-rightness. Points: 93/100
Simply put, this is a beauty of a Bullnose bottling. The ancient red-iron soils of this long-standing Hawkes Bay estate have turned out an evocative nose of plum and blueberry amid a sappy, early spring forest of fresh flowers, herbs and spice (think sage, bay, peppercorn, anise). There's brightness and freshness to the silky palate despite the chiseled tannins. Captures not only a sense of place but also Syrah's often elusive tightrope walk of power and elegance. Drink now–2030. Points: 94/100
Deep, bright purple/red colour and a very aromatic pepper and mixed spice bouquet that shouts 'cool-climate shiraz'. The wine is medium to full-bodied and elegantly shaped, soft fine tannins doing a great job to restrain the exuberant fruit. Refreshing acidity is perfectly harmonised. A gem of a shiraz, very much a northern Rhône style, appropriately labelled syrah. Points: 96/100
Pretty, floral, red and black fruit, a sneaky grid of pepper, dried roses and violet. Medium-bodied, concentrated, a little liquorice and spice, nutty, dense and clenched, very graphite and ‘mineral’ character, beef stock and meaty flavours too, and a long finish packed with silty tannin, coffee bean and violet. Beautiful Syrah here. All just so. Points: 95/100
The wine exhibits a great degree of elegance as well as opulence and gutsy substance. The sweetly fragrant bouquet shows Black Doris plum, violet, cedar and game characters with a touch of pepper spice. It’s weighty and sumptuous on the palate displaying awesome fruit purity and silky mouthfeel, wonderfully framed by loads of polished tannins. A stunning rendition of the variety. At its best: 2026 to 2039. Points: 96/100
Now includes some Gimblett Gravels fruit. Looks at that colour!. Dark purple and pink rim. Rhone like bouquet with spices and meats, dark berries and oak follow. Fantastic bouquet overall. Warm and generous on the palate - flavours of dark berries and spices. Raspberry and barrel spices of vanilla and clove. Frim tannins and high acidity. Excellent wine. Invest if you can. Best from late 2022 through 2030+. Points: 96/100
From a hot vintage with a low rainfall. Ripe plum and berry flavours, with less floral influence than usual. A ripe, firmly-structured, peppery wine with a seasoning of nutty oak. Accessible now but needs time to show its best. Points: 95/100
