Bob McDonald

9.1

I bought this at the winery at a tasting prior to lunch in 2019. Never seen this wine before or since - somewhat of a unicorn. An excellent yet unlikely blend of Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Shiraz - unsure of the percentages but it works a treat. Aromas of black fruits, plum, pomegranate and dried tobacco. An experimental wine which is not produced annually. Grown on the Gimblett Gravels of Hawkes Bay. Finishes with chocolatey tannins. — a year ago

Sam Scarpari

9.6

Totally love Gimblett Gravels Reds & this is one of them. Beautiful array of dark berry fruits, dark chocolate, a spec of bakery spices, a dash of savoury goodness and fresh silky tannins. — 6 years ago

Adrian Jongenelen

9.0

Good. Fruity. Not as deep as I like — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Dense and concentrated - this wine needs years and I erred in not decanting it not giving much on the nose initially. With time and vigorous swirling aromas of Violets Liquorice Lavender Peppercorns and uncooked Bacon always with the minerality of the vineyard - the Gimblett Gravels. On the palate powerful latent flavours with so much more to give. Generally recognised as probably the best Syrah in New Zealand and if not certainly in the conversation with Craggy Range. Listed in the 1001 Wines. Very difficult to source in Australia and I ended up visiting them in January 2017 in Hawkes Bay and getting on the mailing list. 94 points now but in 3 to 5 years 97 or 98. World class Syrah without doubt. — 7 years ago

Max Hollander-Eberly

9.1

Always good to have a taste of home, and very little does that better than Gimblett Gravels Syrah. Great dark fruit, showing excellent leathery tones. — 8 years ago

Magda Cortez

9.1

Strong red. Matured well. — 9 years ago

Liz Hale

9.5

Violets on the nose, big badass Malbec. Gimblett Gravels, nuff said. — 9 years ago

Jason Brater

9.2

Round fruit forward with cherry, red raspberry, and a touch of plum. Just when you think it’s gonna be a fruit bomb, it Fades into an acid and cocoa powder punch. Then the tannins wash over you. And it finishes with a nice Italian herbal kick w some oak. — 4 years ago

with Heather

Andy

9.7

Delicious. BOBWC delights. — 6 years ago

Peter Wassam

9.0

What I’m having is actually a new wine from them so may be first to review it, but they did a sulphite free merlot. It’s actually quite banging, has a real pointed red fruit chassis with those silky, sultry tannins and texture you want in merlot. It is electrically vibrant, and not at all a bad time for a solo camper — 6 years ago

Matt Sterr

9.2

Amazingly aromatic. Violet flowers, dark earth. Complex, powerful and refined. — 8 years ago

bec cully

9.0

Smooth and woody — 8 years ago

Daniel Bello

9.0

Pepprigt & stenigt. Gott! — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Nose of ripe; blackberries, blueberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries, white & black pepper, soft, chalky minerals with light & dark fresh florals. On the palate, lean; blueberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, cherries, black licorice, soft baking spices; clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, powdery crushed rocks, leather, dry & fresh dark florals with understated white & black pepper. Photos of parts of the soil structure in the Gimblett Gravels and vines around their Cellar Door. — 9 years ago

MaJ CappS

9.1

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. — 5 years ago

Keith Crump

8.9

Pretty punchy lots of sour cherries but settled — 6 years ago

Ellen Clifford

9.0

Very very well done once again on the Syrah, New Zealand. This is a bowl of berries and someone cracked pepper on them put them in the sun. You’re eating them on a chilly sunny day. You’re hungry. The wine is doing a good job filling that void. — 7 years ago

Michael Daubs

9.4

Fantastic, full bodied wine (and excellent with a bit of dark chocolate, which really brings out the plum). — 8 years ago

Aki Ttr

9.1

Heavy but creamy batter taste. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

8.9

On the nose, ripe; blackberries, cherries, dark cherries, soft-light baking spices, dark earth and dark fresh florals. On the palate, ripe; dark cherries, cherries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, medium powdery tannins, black licorice, black rich earth with crushed rocks, leather, fresh violets & dark fresh flowers. Finishes with fresh, ripe fruits, powdery and nice round mellow acidity. Photos of their large oak fermenters and grounds. — 9 years ago