SYRAH/SHIRAZ from coolish areas such as Hawkes Bay or Victoria can be elegant with lovely fruit expression, quite different from the bigger jammy warm-climate reds from Australia.
Ngatarawa Stables Reserve Hawkes Bay Syrah 2009
(about $22)
An attractive wine with hints of pepper and sweet ripe berry fruit supported by a firm but gentle structure.
- 3/5 stars
- Great value
(about $22)
A simple young wine with slightly edgy, juicy fruit, rich in the mouth and a firm but easy finish.
- 3/5 stars
- Good value
(about $27)
A big, textural wine with concentrated black fruit, hints of mint, pepper and beetroot, spicy oak and dusty tannins on a long aftertaste.
- 3/5 stars
- good value
(about $34)
A bright peppery wine with a silky texture, charming fruit suggesting red and black berries, savoury undertones, dark, complex flavours and a firm finish.
- 4/5 stars
- Good value
(about $35)
Lots of smoky, spicy oak with hints of coffee and dark chocolate bolster the rich fruit in this mouthfilling wine.
There's a savoury undertone and firm structure with a crisp finish. Although young, it's drinking well now.
- 4/5 stars
- Good value
(about $55)
At 5 years old, Brown Brothers' top shiraz is mellow and complex with dark, spicy fruit, a hint of eucalyptus undergrowth, savoury undertones, and a nicely balanced, bright, long finish.
- 4/5 stars
- Poor value
Although wine sent for review is tasted blind to eliminate preconceptions, all wine tasting and evaluation is subjective. These are personal recommendations.
