TN: 2004 Te Mata Estate Syrah Bullnose (New Zealand, North Island, Hawkes Bay)

WINE TALK
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  • 2004 Te Mata Estate Syrah Bullnose - New Zealand, North Island, Hawkes Bay (2/5/2013)
    At least for me, this is surprisingly quite youthful. It’s savory more so than fruited, with plenty of (what I thought was) Gimblett gravel earth, black olives, creosote, some green herbal lift (maybe stems?), bloody meat and white pepper. This is still quite tight, but giving more with air. Much more on the savory meaty side, but still with fruit, which is on the very dark side. A very well balanced, interesting, and layered wine that speaks of its origin. My only quibble is a bit of astringency on the back end. I think there is great promise for Hawke’s Bay syrah, and this only firms my belief. Youthfully promising, and if I had another bottle, I’d hold it for 2-3 more years. 91 (91 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

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Your impression is similar to the 2002 Te Mata Bullnose I had few weeks ago.

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I had the 1996 last year and it was holdinjg up quite well. On the downslope but holding up. Given the very fine 2009 sells for $32 in the US, this has t be one of the truely great values in Syrah.

One note - IIRC, this actually isn’t grown on the Gimblett gravels, but in the Te Mata peak area.

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Clayton, You are absolutely correct on that blush . Most of the Hawke’s Bay syrahs I have had were from the Gimblett Gravels and I made a poor assumption. Is this earth tone similar throughout the area, including Te Mata peak, or do you think I was just looking for something and thought I found it?

Thanks for reading everyone

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Todd, have you tried any 2007’ NZ Syrahs yet?

I bought some different 2007 Hawkes Bay Syrahs but have yet tried any. Have you tasted the Bilancia La Collina? I have bought based on reputation but have not yet had any…

Brodie

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Brodie, I have not. I think I have an 05 Collina that I bought similarly to you, and it is sitting patiently in the cellar. I haven’t gotten 07’s at all, but whenever I try one I seem to regret not getting a few blles a year. Looking forward to April!

Cheers

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Todd,

That’s a pretty fair assumption - most of the Hawkes Bay reds that have turned heads are from the gravels. In terms of the earth tone you ask about… from my fairly dates experience (lived in NZ until 1999 and used to visit Hawkes Bay fairly regularly, have also been once or twice since) I do think the wines from the Te Mata area can show that. I really am not sure on the soil profile there, but the grapes up there are often on the hills and might be something like schist over clay… so the clay could be influencing the flavor profile. The gravels have alluvial soils (or stones as it is) and I have typically found the wine richer but with a nice mineral undertone (not sure i’ve noted an earthy signature but everyone tastes different things in wine). I really like some of the gimblett gravels wines but the ripeness can sometimes be a little forced in them.