2016 Craggy Range Le Sol Syrah Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Bay

Le Sol, one of the country's most respected syrah labels, cracked through the NZD $100 barrier with the 2013 vintage and has continued to adjust the price in a northerly direction. This is the first vintage that a small amount (20% ) of whole bunches has been used in the fermentation. Nicely perfumed and typically dense, rich syrah with a lovely texture and firm, rounded tannins. Powerful yet elegant wine with plum, berry and mixed spice flavours together with an interesting savoury edge.

Enticing ripe blackberries and plums are framed in subtle, sweet baking-spice complexity and dusted in fine, white-pepper notes. The palate has suave, smooth and concentrated dark berries, presented in a very neatly articulated array of ripe, regal tannins. Great depth and resolve. Pure syrah. Drink now.

The 2016 Le Sol is perhaps the most confident, self-assured expression of Syrah to yet emerge from this benchmark producer. I say that because it no longer relies on weight, power and extraction for its impressiveness, but rather on its wonderful fragrance and elegance. Perfumed notes of violets and cracked pepper lead the way, backed by anise and black cherries. It's medium to full- bodied, with a rich, velvety mouthfeel and tremendous length, echoing with hints of clove, cinnamon and sassafras. 2019 - 2028.

An impressive wine with a firm and powerful structure. While it has an elegant core, the overall impression is dark and brooding, with masses of gravelly tannin holding it all together, making for a wine that begs for bottle age. A lengthy finish offers classic, pepper spice, violets and fresh blackberries that fill the mouth with scent.

En enkelt blok i Gimblett Gravel. 18 Måneder på fad, delvist hele klaser. Sort med flot struktur og dybde. Kompleks med sorte bær, peber og kryderrier. Velafbalanceret med en lang, vedvarende afslutning.