The colour is a deep, vibrant crimson. Blackberry, black pepper, savoury and spice elements are prominent. Multi-layered complexity is the aim. Powerful but ripe and round tannins give the wine great structure. Oak aging plays a minor part and the wine lives on its fruit. Combined with good acidity, mineral, earthy and tarry characters result in a wine that is distinctly Northern Rhone-like rather than resembling any thing Australian.

Black fruits, such as plums, blackcurrant and cherry are evident, entwined with wet earth and smoky oak notes. These classic varietal characteristics found on the nose are reaffirmed on the palate. The firm, dry tannins give the wine excellent structure, while the degree of ripeness adds depth, complexity and a silky texture found in few wines. All of which lends itself to a delicious middle palate and long length.

The blackberry and black pepper nuances of Syrah, the leather and plum aromas of Merlot and the lifted red currant character of Cabernet Franc have combined to produce a complex, fruit dominated wine. The oak aging has added a further dimension to the wine without being obvious. Its richness with firm, ripe tannins make this wine extremely serious yet eminently drinkable.

Black fruits such as cassis and plum. The flavours of the black fruits are complemented by a mouth-filling structure and fine-grained texture.

An enticing nose of ripe red fruits which combine beautifully with flavours of sweet dark plums intermingled with savoury notes and exotic spices. This wine is elegant and refined but with real weight and power.

This wine combines spice and pepper with ripe blackberry fruit for a rich and soft palate with a long and complex finish.

"A marvellously fragrant wine suggesting blackberry, licorice, anise and violets. The intense, long palate marries opulence and fineness to perfection. This just might be NZ’s most intense Syrah / Viognier. It’s a huge wine with a velvet texture and masses of ripe plum and dark berry fruit flavours that are more than a match for the wine’s solidly oaky overcoat.”
Bob Campbell, Gourmet Traveller Wine, August / September 2006