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2004 Sacred Hill Syrah Deer Stalkers - New Zealand, North Island, Hawkes Bay (4/6/2011)
Deep in color. This has a beautiful savory nose. Rare venison, white pepper, thyme, olive tapenade, and lavender. Rich and full bodied but with excellent cut, acid, flesh and just plain old excellent balance. Loads of pepper, iodine, more bloody meat, thyme, violets, and black olives on the palate. This has a little rusticity that adds to the textural pleasure of this. This has a bit of wildness and real character: a new world twist on Cornas. This has really come together in the last few years. Everyone raves about NZ pinot, and while I appreciate and really enjoy NZ pinot, I have found my gem in Gimblett Gravels Syrah. Beautiful and at peak. Wish I had more to follow over the next 3-4 years. 92 pts (92 pts.)
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