Very interesting reading the earlier notes. This has now lost its acidity and is so laid back it is almost somnolent. In other words it seems to have retreated into itself. Unmistakably Hawkes Bay Syrah, unmistakably well made, but lacking a bit of pzazz, and a trifle disappointing. I don't think it will be all that exciting if it wakes up. Interesting.....
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Still very youthful purple, with no sign of age in the colour or at the rim.
Blackberry to the fore on the nose, but with a little pleasing leafiness and faint white pepper.
Without food it's a little one-dimensional at this stage, but was better with steak. No tannins to speak of and acidity feels sufficient to keep it for another 5-10. Try again in 2020?
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Lots of berries and plums first, followed by ripe cherries, mints, and pencil shavings in the nose; quite fruity and juicy on the palate, with also berries, plums, licorice, some oak spices, and citrus acidity; the finish, fruity and long, berries, plums, and oak spices again, plus a creamy and sweet aftertaste; overall, 92-93 points at this stage; a delicious and enjoyable New Zealand syrah; still young to me and could continue to evolve over time.
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popped and poured and continued to improve over the evening, should be given a reasonable decant plus would remove the sediment. Last spots of brightness remain in the glass. Nice plum notes on the palate and pretty sweetness lingers. Spice notes more prominent on the nose. Pleased to have 4 bottles left and could drink now but there is certainly evolution left.
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Drinking very nicely after being decanted for an hour, it is a beautiful medium bodied shiraz displaying black plums, brambly fruit and a little pepper.
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Well mannered, restrained and elegant. Subdued initially, it really seems to bulk up after plenty of air, which is very welcome. What's not to like? Perhaps I just like my Syrah with more meat and blood and earth and fat. vg
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Dark crimson with touch of purple. Rich chocolate nose with a little spice. Dark fruit, blackberry, bramble - quite rich, medium bodied. Flows well through the mouth - some fine acidity on the back of the palate. A touch of pepper on the finish, which is medium/long. Tannins fully integrated and silky.
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Incredibly rich and dark nose of forest berries, dark chocolate, coconut, blackforest cake, with an equally rich and deeply complex palate with smooth velvety texture and lovely fruit character.
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Has some passionfruit skins and sweet orchard fruit notes that makes you think Viognier (although there’s none in the wine). It is sweet and perfumed and of moderate weight. It is a classy drink and I like the way it titillates with the sweet elements and then drives home with some decidedly savoury things, whilst keeping alcohol well and truly in check.
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2/22/2022 - spatialiser wrote: 90 Points
Surprisingly alive after a 2 hour decant
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4/15/2016 - rjpbath Likes this wine: 89 Points
Very interesting reading the earlier notes. This has now lost its acidity and is so laid back it is almost somnolent. In other words it seems to have retreated into itself. Unmistakably Hawkes Bay Syrah, unmistakably well made, but lacking a bit of pzazz, and a trifle disappointing. I don't think it will be all that exciting if it wakes up. Interesting.....
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4/4/2015 - ruth3 wrote:
Drinking well- very balanced, rich sweet licorice.
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3/22/2015 - Ian S wrote:
Still very youthful purple, with no sign of age in the colour or at the rim.
Blackberry to the fore on the nose, but with a little pleasing leafiness and faint white pepper.
Without food it's a little one-dimensional at this stage, but was better with steak. No tannins to speak of and acidity feels sufficient to keep it for another 5-10. Try again in 2020?
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3/21/2015 - ruth3 wrote:
sweet, pencil shavings and licorice
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2/6/2015 - Tuvan wrote: 93 Points
Perfectly mature. Rich still elegant!
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11/16/2014 - CWang wrote: 92 Points
Lots of berries and plums first, followed by ripe cherries, mints, and pencil shavings in the nose; quite fruity and juicy on the palate, with also berries, plums, licorice, some oak spices, and citrus acidity; the finish, fruity and long, berries, plums, and oak spices again, plus a creamy and sweet aftertaste; overall, 92-93 points at this stage; a delicious and enjoyable New Zealand syrah; still young to me and could continue to evolve over time.
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11/14/2014 - bbig004 wrote: 91 Points
popped and poured and continued to improve over the evening, should be given a reasonable decant plus would remove the sediment. Last spots of brightness remain in the glass. Nice plum notes on the palate and pretty sweetness lingers. Spice notes more prominent on the nose. Pleased to have 4 bottles left and could drink now but there is certainly evolution left.
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4/11/2014 - df1962 wrote: 89 Points
PnP. Vibrant purple still fresh looking. Very meaty funky nose. Bright red and black fruits. Prime time to drink up.
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2/23/2014 - Julian B Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking very nicely after being decanted for an hour, it is a beautiful medium bodied shiraz displaying black plums, brambly fruit and a little pepper.
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1/25/2014 - Jeff W wrote:
Well mannered, restrained and elegant. Subdued initially, it really seems to bulk up after plenty of air, which is very welcome. What's not to like? Perhaps I just like my Syrah with more meat and blood and earth and fat.
vg
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9/8/2012 - Tuvan wrote: 92 Points
Fresh fruity well-made syrah with meaty and peppery tones, nice elegant oak and some garrigue
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2/5/2012 - tonsta wrote: 91 Points
Agree with TiggerK, a very well structured cool climate shiraz which will drink very well for the next 5yrs.
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12/18/2011 - Mivvy wrote: 88 Points
Dark crimson with touch of purple. Rich chocolate nose with a little spice. Dark fruit, blackberry, bramble - quite rich, medium bodied. Flows well through the mouth - some fine acidity on the back of the palate. A touch of pepper on the finish, which is medium/long. Tannins fully integrated and silky.
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7/3/2010 - TiggerK wrote: 91 Points
Lovely cool climate shiraz. Blackberries and juicy ripe black fruit, good spine of acid and good finish. Good now, prob better with time.
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1/29/2010 - VinoHobo wrote: 92 Points
Incredibly rich and dark nose of forest berries, dark chocolate, coconut, blackforest cake, with an equally rich and deeply complex palate with smooth velvety texture and lovely fruit character.
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11/5/2009 - chatters wrote: 89 Points
Wine-Ark Cellar Club Tasting 10 - November 2009. Josef Chromy, Giant Steps, Craggy Range (Roof Terrace Australian Museum): Nose: perfume and black pepper, cedar and dusty rooms
Mouth: Very nice, good fruit, good tannin and good length
A simple but effective wine. Perhaps about 5-10 AUD too much at $36 which loses it one mark - otherwise 90
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8/5/2009 - Jeremy Holmes wrote:
Has some passionfruit skins and sweet orchard fruit notes that makes you think Viognier (although there’s none in the wine). It is sweet and perfumed and of moderate weight. It is a classy drink and I like the way it titillates with the sweet elements and then drives home with some decidedly savoury things, whilst keeping alcohol well and truly in check.
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7/29/2009 - hadwin wrote: 88 Points
Young looking. Peppery, strong and brambly. Good sweet black fruit with long finish.
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