Initially oaky notes which blew off after a while. Black and blue fruits, a gingery note with stacks of black pepper. A genuine cool climate Syrah - possibly NZ’s premium Syrah and certainly one of my favourite Syrahs. Black pepper and spice bordering on profound palate intensity. Very northern Rhone - excellent. I don’t know how available this is overseas but it’s worth seeking out. An interesting back story: The winemaker, John Hancock, who worked the harvest at Jaboulet in 1996 received Syrah cuttings from the Hermitage Hill as a gift from Gerard Jaboulet. Hancock planted them in 2001 and now, in good vintages, uses the fruit for Homage. Scents of potpourri, lavender and wild thyme “. I totally agree. — 3 months ago
Cattail creek wine dinner. Characteristics of pencil lead, tobacco, black cherry, and liquorish. The palate has a lifted acidity and spicy tannins but don't obscure the fruit expression. Paired with petite ribeye en persillade. — 7 months ago
Lovely. Still quite youthful, 15yrs old and could easily go several years longer. Excellent tertiary flavours. Black olive, cedar, resinous, rosemary. Dry, medium body. — 2 months ago
Really subtle, very nice. Dangerously drinkable — 4 months ago
This has one of those brilliant, well polished high def née world wine noses.
Subtle fruit, yet so perfect the aroma.
A touch of salinity leads to classic Cab fruit, that hint of almond, those delicately placed petals on the palette, persimmon in the end game, with minty acidity and well focused tannin.
I’d say this wine has come together perfectly with time. — 3 years ago
Johnno Harris
Ex-magnum. Fabulous!!! 🍷🍷👌🏽👌🏽 — 11 days ago