The characters typical of our Gimblett Road vineyards such as pineapple, grapefruit, fig and pear are evident. Mealy, biscuity barrel ferment and integrated oak characters add complexity. The wine displays the desirable character of elegance with power. This is a powerful wine, but it also shows softness and great balance.

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.

"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

Flavours and aromas of passionfruit and nectarine gently compliment the delicate aroma of gooseberries. A mineral character lends a distinctly Graves-like character to the wine. The addition of Semillon has added to the texture. The fresh acid is balanced by a tiny amount of retained sweetness.

Typical fruit characters from Hawkes Bay Chardonnay such as grapefruit and melon are supplemented by biscuity characters with a light butteriness. The wine is rich and round, with soft acidity and attractive sweet fruit.

The colour is a beautiful green/gold, with depth. The aromas are reminiscent of honey and crystallized apricots. The botrytis has a big effect, with hints of the floral, jasmine aspects of Viognier showing. It is very luscious and concentrated, with strong flavours of dried fruits, especially apricots. The finish is very long and despite the sweetness, finishes dry with no cloying sugar as sometimes happens with this style of wine

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.

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

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