Critic Notes
Full, very dark, purple-hued black-ruby colour. This has a rich and full nose with blossoming layers of sweetly ripe blackberry and black plum aromas, harmoniously melded with black pepper, Asian spices and violet and black florals, along with integrated spicy, cedary and toasty oak. Medium-full bodied, the palate features densely packed and harmoniously entwined, opulent and decadent flavours of ripe blackberry fruits, plums and liquorice, unfolding waves of black pepper, chocolate and cedary oak. The mouthfeel is smooth and soft-textured, quite complete in expression, with seamless, underlying tannins and structure that builds in presence. The sweet fruit and oak flavours prevail and flow effortlessly to a sustained finish with spices, cedar and considerable depth and presence. This is a very rich, decadent and densely packed, complete Syrah with ripe black berr and plum fruits, and layers of spice and cedary flavours. Match with Middle Eastern fare, and lamb, beef and venison over the next 10-12 years. 100% Syrah from the ‘Omahu Gravels’ and ‘Twyford Gravels’ vineyards, fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 20 months in 40% new French oak. Oct 2015, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz
Score: 19.5-/20Raymond Chan
This is spectacularly good. Awesome fruit concentration and wonderful purity. Aromas of black/blueberry, cherry, clove, nutmeg and a whiff of white pepper on the nose. It is concentrated and powerful, yet refined and perfectly poised for gradual development. An astonishing rendition of the variety. Jun 2015, www.wineorbit.co.nz, www. Drink: 2018 to 2033
Score: 98-/100Sam Kim, Wine OrbitDrinking Window: 2018-2033
Interesting: from estate vineyards in Omahu Gravels and Twyford Gravels, subsets of Gimblett; 20 months in French barriques (10 barriques made). It has a juicy lightness of foot first up, then more and more secrets are progressively revealed, in particular superb tannin structure, length and integrity. Dec 2015
Score: 97-/100James Halliday
Selected as one of top 12, 2013 Gimblett Gravels red.
Score: 97-/100Andrew Caillard MW
Slick, classy Syrah with a seamless, silky texture and typical varietal flavours of plum and dark berry, violet notes, star anise and spicy French oak. Sep 2015, www.decanter.com, Drink: 2015-2028
Score: 96-/100Bob Campbell MWDrinking Window: 2015-2028
20 months in French oak (40% new). Hand picked on 14 and 15 April. The 'Vidal' has sprouted an 'Anthony Joseph' in front of it. Dark crimson. Ripe and savoury at the same time. Some sweetness, as though fashioned from candied leather. Round and ripe. It could do with just a little more freshness. Oct 2015, www.jancisrobinson.com, Drink: 2016-2026
Score: 16.5-/20Jancis RobinsonDrinking Window: 2016-2026
