Blue Rock Syrah 2018
Planted in 1997 to a precipitous North facing slope. Normally a marginal prospect in a cool climate such as ours, the slope delivers all day sun to the vines, ensuring perfect ripeness in al but the coolest of vintages.
Syrah made by the makes of Pinot Noir! Look for elegance and balance, never a heavy weight. Clove and pepper spice with dark chocolate and black fruits.
Planted in 1997 to a precipitous North facing slope. Normally a marginal prospect in a cool climate such as ours, the slope delivers all day sun to the vines, ensuring perfect ripeness in al but the coolest of vintages.
Syrah made by the makes of Pinot Noir! Look for elegance and balance, never a heavy weight. Clove and pepper spice with dark chocolate and black fruits.
Planted in 1997 to a precipitous North facing slope. Normally a marginal prospect in a cool climate such as ours, the slope delivers all day sun to the vines, ensuring perfect ripeness in al but the coolest of vintages.
Syrah made by the makes of Pinot Noir! Look for elegance and balance, never a heavy weight. Clove and pepper spice with dark chocolate and black fruits.
“5 stars - One of the most impressive Syrahs yet from anywhere south of Hawke’s Bay, the 2018 vintage was harvested from vines planted in 1997 and 2008 on a ‘precipitous, north-facing slope’, south of Martinborough. Matured for a year in French oak barriques and puncheons (30 per cent new), it was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Full-coloured, it is a highly fragrant, mouthfilling red with dense, ripe blackcurrant and spice flavours, complex, savoury and finely structured. A very harmonious wine with strong presence and lovely vibrancy, flow and length, it’s already delicious, but well worth cellaring. ”
“5 stars / 91 points - Attractively fruited and beautifully fragrant, the bouquet shows dark plum, mulberry, dried herb, cake spice and almond characters. The palate delivers elegant weight and supple mouthfeel backed by silky texture and chalky tannins, finishing persistent and delicately dry. At its best: now to 2024. ”
“4 stars / 92 points - From 23-year-old vines growing on a north-facing slope. Elegant syrah with violet, dark berry, white and black pepper and a hint of chocolate/mocha character. Subtle fruit sweetness is nicely balanced by fine, ripe tannins to give a pleasantly dry finish. Approachable now but with good cellaring potential.”
“93 points - A topsy-turvy vintage in Martinborough, hot and dry, then wet wet wet and hot. This had some Viognier skins thown into the ferment. Hmmm. Shiraz is marginal in Martinborough, though there are some very good wines. This, Ata Rangi (every now and then), Kusuda, Dry River etc. spring to mind. Peppery and spicy, blue fruit, cherry pip, perfumed too, with a bit of truffle adding bass. Sleek and smooth, ripe blueberry and stonefruit, slinky fine-grained tannin, white pepper and grilled steak, almost a wheatgerm thing happening on the finish, which is solid and soaked with fine tannin. Lovely wine. A bit different too.”
“17+ Pinot Jancis Robinson - Tasted blind. Juicy black fruit with a touch of aniseed and menthol adding interest. Very fine tannic fuzz on the palate, offset by thirst-quenching acid. Lots of violet fragrance on the length, and a slight vegetal note too.”
