Now this is a remarkable New Zealand Syrah, from the famous Gimblett Gravels terroir of Hawkes Bay. It’s a style I like a good deal, and which I predict has a very bright future. As is typical for this blog, I’m not just giving you a tasting note based on a quick slurp and spit, but one based on drinking a good portion of the bottle.

Sacred Hill Deerstalkers Syrah 2009 Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
This comes from the Gimblett Gravels, and spends 16 months in oak. Fresh and vibrant with a lovely peppery edge to the sleek, ripe cherry and red berry fruit. Aromatic with a superficial sweet oak sheen, but this is carried well by the lovely focused fruit. Quite a grippy structure but it works well with the ripe, somewhat primary fruit. Lovely precision here. A serious wine. 94/100

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