New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay, Gimblett Gravels
Under cork. Drunk over two evenings with the Sophia, better on the second evening. Craggy Range's top tier Syrah. Colour bright deep ruby, a shade brighter than the Sophia, Bouquet of black pepper, blackcurrants, cloves, spices, black plums and faint violets. Some creamy oak artefact. On the second evening more earth and underbrush. On the first evening, quite young and primary. Large scaled and structured yet relatively seamless. Particularly on the first night - after 11 years - still a little one dimensional. Dark fruit, black pepper and touches of vanillin oak. The oak not now over-prominent. A little more secondary development and detail on the second evening. Decent length. Very much in international style but reasonably elegant. A touch more complexity - with more savouriness - than the Sophia. Give it 5+ more years to see if it further develops.
New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay, Gimblett Gravels
Under cork. Drunk over two evenings with the Le Sol, better on the second evening. Craggy Range's top Bordeaux blend. Merlot predominant with cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and petit verdot. Deep ruby with a fleck of garnet at the rim. Classic merlot-driven nose of cedar, dark plums, tobacco, mahogany chest of drawers and tobacco, with some spicy, creamy oak. After time more notes of old leather, clay and dried herbs. Oak present but not overwhelming. A ripe, opulent, sweet-seeming entry. More austere and mineral - when the prominent acidity kicks in - across the mid and back palate. A dry, relatively long, stony finish. More vibrant red berry and plum flavours than the Le Sol but overall less complexity and a little more disjointed in its overall presentation. Drink over the next few years.
2010 Craggy Range Syrah Le Sol Gimblett Gravels Vineyard 92 Points
New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay, Gimblett Gravels
Under cork. Drunk over two evenings with the Sophia, better on the second evening. Craggy Range's top tier Syrah. Colour bright deep ruby, a shade brighter than the Sophia, Bouquet of black pepper, blackcurrants, cloves, spices, black plums and faint violets. Some creamy oak artefact. On the second evening more earth and underbrush. On the first evening, quite young and primary. Large scaled and structured yet relatively seamless. Particularly on the first night - after 11 years - still a little one dimensional. Dark fruit, black pepper and touches of vanillin oak. The oak not now over-prominent. A little more secondary development and detail on the second evening. Decent length. Very much in international style but reasonably elegant. A touch more complexity - with more savouriness - than the Sophia. Give it 5+ more years to see if it further develops.
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2010 Craggy Range Sophia 91 Points
New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay, Gimblett Gravels
Under cork. Drunk over two evenings with the Le Sol, better on the second evening. Craggy Range's top Bordeaux blend. Merlot predominant with cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and petit verdot. Deep ruby with a fleck of garnet at the rim. Classic merlot-driven nose of cedar, dark plums, tobacco, mahogany chest of drawers and tobacco, with some spicy, creamy oak. After time more notes of old leather, clay and dried herbs. Oak present but not overwhelming. A ripe, opulent, sweet-seeming entry. More austere and mineral - when the prominent acidity kicks in - across the mid and back palate. A dry, relatively long, stony finish. More vibrant red berry and plum flavours than the Le Sol but overall less complexity and a little more disjointed in its overall presentation. Drink over the next few years.
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