2005 Craggy Range Syrah Le Sol Gimblett Gravels Vineyard

Community Tasting Notes (22) Avg Score: 90.5 points

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  7/28/2022 - HowardNZ Likes this wine: 92 Points

  Doing some cellar management yesterday I found another 6 pack of these wines and then dropped a bottle breaking the screwcap seal, so that was for dinner that night ... The best bottle I've had of the 2005 cuvée. Deep, dark red, only a touch of garnet at the rim. A powerful bouquet of dark plums, blackberries and cassis, warm earth, garrigue and red liquorice with spices and a dash of black pepper. Nascent red rose florals. On palate, the oak (18 months on French oak, 52% new) much better integrated with the fruit than previously. Still very rich and full. Structured and muscular. Palate coating, yet satiny mouthfeel. Blackberries, dark plums, crème de cassis and a little tar and black pepper. The alcohol (14% ABV) not out of proportion. Good length. I'd expect it to drink in this style until at least 2028. (92-93).

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  1/17/2021 - HowardNZ Likes this wine: 90 Points

  My second-to-last bottle (I think), bought on release then cellared properly ever since ... Under screw cap. Deep ruby colour but some rusty garnet at the rim. Better on the second evening, after additional oxygen. A bouquet of vanillin. lactic oak, blackberry, black currant and milk chocolate. Better - more interesting - on palate. Blackberry, black currant, dark plum and some cassis notes. Some refreshing acidity. Oak not as prominent as the nose suggests, but still too dominant, compared with the fruit, for me. The tannins a little softened by time. Some refreshing acidity. The alcohol in proportion. Some development but it should drink - in this style and on this plateau - for at least the next 5+ years. A little tar and warm earth. A trace of black pepper. But - at 15 years of age - not fundamentally interesting or nuanced enough to justify itself as Craggy”s 2005 Syrah Tête de Cuvée or worthy of this extended cellaring.

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  11/11/2020 - Phil David wrote: 89 Points

  No doubt this is a New World Shiraz; very glossy profile and pimped up sweetness that's just offset by a decent amount of acidity. A bit short on the finish. Certainly drinkable, but not on my future buy list.

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  10/27/2018 - David J Cooper wrote: 92 Points

  Dark red right to the edges. Elegant nose, pepper, blackberry, smoked meat and thyme . Delicious peppery. meaty berry flavours and a long dry textured finish.
  
  Close to Northern Rhone style but a little more warmth and richness in the mouth.

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  5/1/2017 - David J Cooper wrote: 92 Points

  Dark red. Intense nose of pepper, raspberry, plum and earth. Elegant red fruit flavors and a dry tannic finish. Delicious.
  
  The nose is intense but the flavors and finish are so elegant and floral.

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View all 22 Community Tasting Notes

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