As you can see, in New Zealand, they prefer to call Shiraz by its European ‘moniker’ of Syrah. In fact, the winemakers prefer to produce a wine, which tends to be more akin to the European style than the Shiraz of their Aussie neighbours. Hence, they aspire to the Rhone Valley in France and look towards the iconic wines of Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Cornas and St Joseph for inspiration. In general, the Syrah wines produced in New Zealand tend to be more elegant, savoury and peppery with delicious, spicy black fruits than the powerful blockbusters, so typical of the icons of Barossa Valley and the chocolate nuances and plummy notes of the McLaren Vale styles. Syrah can also take a little heat in warmer micro-climates, such as Waiheke Island and Hawkes Bay. Moreover, combined with the special soils found within the important sub-region called the Gimblett Gravels, well-structured and flavoursome red wines, with great potential are being produced as a result. In addition, do not overlook examples of Syrah that come from cooler climates, such as Martinborough and Marlborough – as they are wines to watch.
Notable Syrah wines from New Zealand include:
Man O’War Vineyards “Dreadnought”, Te Mata ”Bullnose”, Bilancia “La Collina”, C.J Pask , Craggy Range “Block 14″ and “Le Sol”, Stonecroft, Trinity Hill “Homage”, Bridge Pa, Vidal, Forrest “John Forrest Collection” , Cambridge Road, Murdoch James, Dry River “Arapoff”, Fromm, Staete Landt and Te Whare Ra.
It has also become ‘fashionable’ now to add or co-ferment a little Viognier with the Syrah. In this manner, the winemakers are emulating the greats in Cote-Rotie in France. This provides the wine with an extra touch of complexity, textural mouthfeel and some floral notes. Mostly the wine will be pure Syrah, but it always helps to read the back label, especially with New World wines, just in case the winemaker is looking to produce this kind of wine style (with the addition of Viognier).
A trio of Kiwi Syrah wines
I tasted three New Zealand Syrah wines – all from three different vintages, regions and winemakers.
2009 Te Whare Ra, Syrah, Marlborough – lovely, bright, black fruits with a savoury, herbal edge. Juicy, mouth-watering, long finish, balanced, powerful, yet supple and elegant. Drinking now, yet will improve – 2-5 years.
2009 Te Whare Ra Syrah
Te Whare Ra wines are avalable in the UK via Hallowed Ground.
2008 Man O’War Vineyards, “Dreadnought” Syrah, Waiheke Island – bold, juicy ripe black fruits, morello cherry, well-structured, earthy, savoury with a herbal/floral hints, touch of liquorice and Szechuan pepper. Big, powerful, long, persistent finish with plenty of freshness. Will keep. Needs time. 2-8 years.
2008 Man O'War Vineyards "Dreadnought" Syrah
Man O’War wines are available in the UK via New Generation Wines.
2004 Trinity Hill, Syrah, Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay – evolving, notes of maturity and secondary development. Earthy, complex, spicy, peppery, black fruits, savoury and gamey notes. Has aged very well, yet will still continue to improve. Now – 5 years.
2004 Trinity Hill, Syrah, Gimblett Gravels
Trinity Hill wines are available in the UK via Enotria World Wine.
*** PLEASE NOTE – ON WEDNESDAY MARCH 7TH 2012 I WILL BE HOSTING “SAVOURING SYRAH” – A POP UP BLIND TASTING OF 65 SYRAH/SHIRAZ WINES FROM AROUND THE WORLD. REST ASSURED A FEW KIWI WINES WILL BE THERE. FOLLOW US AND OUR TWEETS ON #SAVOURINGSYRAH ***
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The epicurean odyssey continues…
What about the Syrah’s from Hawke’s Bay?