93 POINTS & 5 STARS: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
4 STARS: Yvonne Lorkin
A gorgeous 2018 Syrah crafted by acclaimed Hawkes Bay winemaker Rod McDonald. These single estate wines are rich, mouthfilling and long-lived. Classic white pepper, thyme and violet aromas lead into a palate that is elegant and pure. Climb in!
"Exhibiting elegance, purity and sophistication, the wine shows dark plum, spiced cherry, violet, olive and toasted nut characters on the nose. The palate is silky, flowing and rounded with youthful fruit intensity with seductive savoury undertones, finishing impressively long and polished. Excellent line and length."
- Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
"Crafted by Rod McDonald, a winemaker seemingly blessed with the syrah version of jazz hands for every vintage, this is a plum and pepper-scented sensation was sourced from fruit grown west of Hastings, an area famous for producing the iron-rich, Bridge Pa soils and the prestigious, deep, free-draining soils of the Gimblett Gravels. Syrah is definitely in its happy place out here, the vines channelling concentration and energy into the berries which then produce intense, sexy, dark cherry and berry flavours, earthy, warming textures and a silky, blueberry-edged finish."
- Yvonne Lorkin