Full, near saturated black-red colour with purple hues on the rim, youthful in appearance. The nose is elegantly proportioned but very tightly bound and intense with concentrated aromas of ripe blackberry fruit along with notes of boysenberries and blueberries, harmoniously intermixed with a layering of Asian spices, liquorice and piquant black pepper entwined with violet florals. The aromatics are refined and elegant and seamless in expression, and feature fragrance. Medium-full bodied, the palate has succulently rich and luscious, near opulent flavours of ripe blackberries and boysenberries with blue fruit detail, along with subtle raspberry elements, entwined with Asian spices and black pepper, with violet florals. The fruit has richness and vitality and an effusive energy forming a rich, packed heart. The fruit is underlined by fine-grained, powdery tannin extract, balancing structure and integrated acidity. The wine carries to a very long, spicy, vibrant and sustained finish. This is a wonderfully rich and refined Syrah with succulently ripe black fruits, spices and pepper on a very fine-structured palate. Match with lamb, beef and venison over the next 8-10+ years. 19.5/20 Points

Le Sol, one of the country's most respected syrah labels, cracked through the NZD $100 barrier with the 2013 vintage and has continued to adjust the price in a northerly direction. This is the first vintage that a small amount (20% ) of whole bunches has been used in the fermentation. Nicely perfumed and typically dense, rich syrah with a lovely texture and firm, rounded tannins. Powerful yet elegant wine with plum, berry and mixed spice flavours together with an interesting savoury edge.

This deep purple Syrah is made from a heritage grape clone brought to New Zealand in the 1830's and now grown in heavily stony soils in the Gimblett Gravels. The grapes were hand-harvested, 80% destemmed and fermented in open top French oak barrels, which support the already impressive structure and complex flavours of black pepper, black plums and black cherries. It was aged for 17 months in oak, 35% of which was new. This beautiful Syrah drinks well now and has a long life ahead with cellaring potential of a decade plus. 18.5/20

Category: Syrah

This deep purple Syrah is made from a heritage grape clone brought to New Zealand in the 1830's and now grown in heavily stony soils in the Gimblett Gravels. The grapes were hand-harvested, 80% destemmed and fermented in open top French oak barrels, which support the already impressive structure and complex flavours of black pepper, black plums and black cherries. It was aged for 17 months in oak, 35% of which was new. This beautiful Syrah drinks well now and has a long life ahead with cellaring potential of a decade plus. 18.5/20

Category: Syrah

Craggy Range’s flagship label, has evolved significantly since the earliest attempts when the aim was to make a powerful and generously proportioned red. It still has plenty of power but is significantly more elegant – “elegance on a grand scale” as James Halliday might say. This is the first vintage where a small amount (20%) of whole bunches has been used in the fermentation.

Medium deep colour. Cola chinotto, spicy blackcurrant aromas, some mocha notes and peppery lift. Rich and voluminous wine with dense dark fruits, chocolatey nuances, supple plentiful fine tannins, savoury oak complexity, some peppery nuances. Finishes chocolaty and long. Complex yet the oak seems to flatten the wine. May well come round but elemental and un-giving, despite the substance.

The latest release of Le Sol, Craggy Range’s flagship Syrah is intensely purple in the glass. While it is slightly closed right now, there is clearly an intense concentration of fruit in its youthful body. The signature spice that comes with cooler expressions of Syrah is well judged here. Black fruit, cinnamon and exotic spice add to the wine’s intrigue. This is a highly polished, round and expansive Syrah that has an abundance of mouth coating, appetizingly sticky fine tannins and very long length. Drink 2020-2030.

One of the stars in a tasting of every vintage back to the first in 2001. Attractively perfumed and typically dense, rich syrah with a lovely texture and firm, rounded tannins. Powerful yet elegant wine with plum, berry and mixed spice flavours. 5 stars.

Nicely perfumed and typically dense, rich syrah with a lovely texture and firm, rounded tannins. Powerful yet elegant wine with plum, berry and mixed spice/pepper flavours together with an interesting savoury edge. With careful storage this wine will keep well for a couple of decades