‘Le Sol’, French for ‘the soil’, is born of the renowned Gimblett Gravels viticultural appellation. The importance of the soil in the creation of this wine and the respect for the Rhone Valley were the leading elements for defining its name. Intensely hand managed, the grapes reveal a deep and dark Syrah with purple hues which represents the very best of the style for that year. ‘Le Sol’ is always aromatically pure with a luscious yet elegant mid-palate and a distinctive fine tannin finish we call ‘Gimblett dust’. Deepest red with vibrant purple hue. Expressive cool climate Syrah with lifted notes of violets, fresh boysenberries, sandalwood and a hint of dried, peppered meat. The palate has a dense core of dark fruits beautifully integrated by acidity and fine, dusty tannins giving the wine a long, elegant feel towards the dry finish.
Tasting Note
AromaComplex brooding Syrah aromatics of boysenberry, blackpepper, camphor and garrigue herbs.
ClosureCork
Grape
Maturation18 months French oak barriques, (32% new).
Oaked0
PalateThe palate is all about finesse with dark fruit richness beautifully integrated with fine tannins and acidity to give a finish which is long and dry.
VarietalV_SHIRAZSYRAH
Vinification
RegionHawkes Bay - New Zealand
Region CodeINZAHAWKES
Region Notes
State
Subregion
WinemakerMatt Stafford
Wine StyleRed (Full Bodied)
Decanter named the 2013 ‘Le Sol’ the top Syrah in the New World
0
98
2015/10/19
Decanter Magazine, 2015
Intensely aromatic Syrah with dark berry and violets
leading the charge. Oriental spices and spicy French
oak are added on the palate. Clearly a powerful wine
but with energy and poise too. A mouthwateringly
vibrant red with a featherbed texture.
Campbell Mattinson
0
95
2015/07/04
The Wine Front, 4 July 2015
Hawkes Bay. Gimblett Gravels Syrah. All French oak 32% new. Filtered but not fined. Perfumed but coiled tight. Peppery and boysenberried with sweet, jellied cherry giving it a bright, succulent appeal. Herb and spice notes make savouriness as much of its shtick as sweetness/fruitiness. Firm, gravelly, peppery tannin aplenty. For all its come hither character it's not a lot of fun now; it needs a handful of years in a cool, dark place. It was more impressive at the tasting bench than it was on the couch; time rather than tv the password to its power. Drink 2018 - 2030.
Michael Cooper's Best of 2015 Releases
5
0
2015/12/31
Winestate, 01 January 2016
Dense, finely textured,
perfumed syrah,
estate-grown in the
Gimblett Gravels and
matured in French oak
barriques (32% new).
Bold, purple-flushed
colour, with vibrant,
beautifully ripe plum
and black pepper
flavours, showing
lovely harmony,
and a long, spicy
finish. Already highly
approachable, it should
be at its best 2020+.
Ralph Kyte-Powell
0
94
2015/08/25
Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney August 2015
A flagship Kiwi red of real
presence.A powerful,
unevolved drop with its
depth of fruit still emerging
through big, layered, drying
tannins. (Cork; 13 per cent
alcohol.)
Ageing?Yes, three to
20 years.
Food idea Beef fillet en
croute.
Michael Cooper's Best of 2015 Releases
5
0
2015/12/31
Winestate, 01 January 2016
Dense, finely textured,
perfumed syrah,
estate-grown in the
Gimblett Gravels and
matured in French oak
barriques (32% new).
Bold, purple-flushed
colour, with vibrant,
beautifully ripe plum
and black pepper
flavours, showing
lovely harmony,
and a long, spicy
finish. Already highly
approachable, it should
be at its best 2020+.
Ralph Kyte-Powell
0
94
2015/08/25
Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney August 2015
A flagship Kiwi red of real
presence.A powerful,
unevolved drop with its
depth of fruit still emerging
through big, layered, drying
tannins. (Cork; 13 per cent
alcohol.)
Ageing?Yes, three to
20 years.
Food idea Beef fillet en
croute.
Bob Campbell MW
0
98
2015/05/19
Wine of the Week, bobcampbell.nz, 19 May 2015
Craggy Range’s flagship wine from a vintage that has been hailed as “once in a lifetime”. Dense but not a heavy wine, lithe rather than blockbuster although certainly not lacking power. Tightly packed flavours, including dark berry, Oriental spices, oak and a suggestion of floral characters are gradually displayed and will continue to be revealed as the wine ages. A truly classic Le Sol.
Angus Hughson
0
0
2015/10/19
The Australian, 07 June 2013
The strong march of New Zealand Syrah continues. This wine is powerful and dense yet light on its feet with intriguing aromatic complexity of white pepper, earth, iron, a touch of stalk and generous new oak. Full-bodied, savoury and tannic, it will improve and evolve over the next 15 years.
Campbell Mattinson
0
95
2015/07/04
The Wine Front, 4 July 2015
Hawkes Bay. Gimblett Gravels Syrah. All French oak 32% new. Filtered but not fined. Perfumed but coiled tight. Peppery and boysenberried with sweet, jellied cherry giving it a bright, succulent appeal. Herb and spice notes make savouriness as much of its shtick as sweetness/fruitiness. Firm, gravelly, peppery tannin aplenty. For all its come hither character it's not a lot of fun now; it needs a handful of years in a cool, dark place. It was more impressive at the tasting bench than it was on the couch; time rather than tv the password to its power. Drink 2018 - 2030.
Decanter named the 2013 ‘Le Sol’ the top Syrah in the New World
0
98
2015/10/19
Decanter Magazine, 2015
Intensely aromatic Syrah with dark berry and violets
leading the charge. Oriental spices and spicy French
oak are added on the palate. Clearly a powerful wine
but with energy and poise too. A mouthwateringly
vibrant red with a featherbed texture.
Michael Cooper's Best of 2015 Releases
5
0
2015/12/31
Winestate, 01 January 2016
Dense, finely textured,
perfumed syrah,
estate-grown in the
Gimblett Gravels and
matured in French oak
barriques (32% new).
Bold, purple-flushed
colour, with vibrant,
beautifully ripe plum
and black pepper
flavours, showing
lovely harmony,
and a long, spicy
finish. Already highly
approachable, it should
be at its best 2020+.