TN: A leading NZ syrah ...

WINE TALK
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Vertical of Trinity Hill Homage

Homage 2004

Light ruby, crimson in colour. This a bit shy on the nose, not giving away much at all. It’s a little more expressive on the palate with ripe plum, cherry, some spicy flavours and a little white pepper. The texture has a velvety feel with tannins that are soft and fully integrated. 88

Homage 2006

Rich dense ruby in colour. Lovely floral nose, rich and complex, with aromas of spice, black fruits and a touch of leather. Rich and ripe on the palate, with black fruits again, blackberry, plum, with some exotic spicy complexities and a touch of white pepper. Quite elegant, concentrated and youthful with a fine tannic structure that is well integrated, the flavours still primary or maybe un-evolved with some savoury and dried herb complexities. 92

Homage 2007

Dark ruby. This is very reserved on the nose like the 2004. Very ripe on the palate, blackberry, plums, maybe a little overripe, from a hot vintage. The oak is evident as is the alcohol too. The fruit seems all up front but it falls way on the finish. There are some nice spicy, dried herb, toast complexities and peppery flavours. Lacks a bit of zip. 89

Homage 2009

Dark ruby with a touch of purple. The aromas are rich and ripe, fresh with spicy French/American? oak, dark cherry, spice and black plums and some floral character. Elegant and well balanced, but still very oaky, youthful and un-integrated. Spicy, savoury and velvety textured, with fine ripe tannins. 91+

Homage 2010

Deep crimson/purple. A little reserved with some nice floral, oak and black fruit aromas. Rich ripe palate, black fruits, chocolate, mixed spices, very youthful, powerful, concentrated with a long finish and great texture. This has loads of potential, maybe the best Homage ? 93+

There are only 300 to 400 cases produced each vintage and as far as I know none was made in 2011 or 2012. It was interesting to note the even hand from the wine maker, the wines are not over extracted or over oaked. They all share a common spiciness, savoury character with pepper complexities. They have a very appealing velvety textured elegance. The only thing they don’t have IMHO is the power, weight, concentration and complexities of those from the Northern Rhone.

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Thanks for that Wayne. I have pulled a 2006 out of my cellar to try, so nice to read that you rate it.

Best, Howard

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Or you could have a nice wine on a Wednesday evening [wow.gif]

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Wayne, I’m having the Kupe '09 PN tonight which is very good. Brodie is in town so I might test the Homage on him.

Cheers, Howard

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Howard, perhaps a book club meet here on Friday? I’ll throw something in from the old world. Cheers Mike

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Say hello to Brodie from me… I was hoping to meet him while he was in Auckland but it hasn’t worked out.

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Has any one tried the Viognier from Dry River 2013 ?

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Mike, sounds good, will be in touch.

Wayne, I will pass on your regards. Sorry, I’ve not tried your Viognier.

Howard

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Thanks for the Stonecroft note Howard, looks like this remains a good wine at a decent price.

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I’ve always been a fan of Stonecroft. I don’t know the details, but if i wonder if they might benefit from less efficient rootstock/clones than some of the newer Gimblett Gravels plantings. I feel like their wines come across much less glossy and ripe. I feel like there are a few regions in NZ (Central Otago with Pinot is a good example) where newer plantings use higher efficiency clones and rootstock to counter the cool climate and sometimes result in grapes that get too ripe, or at least riper than i would like to see in climates that cool.

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Clayton, you raise an interesting point about clones and rootstock. This is from Sonecroft’s website:

‘The story of how Stonecroft’s Alan Limmer rescued the country’s last surviving Syrah vines from certain extinction is the stuff of legend.’
-Paul White, The World of Fine Wine, Issue 25 2009

A single row of vines comprises Stonecroft’s original Syrah planting. This row was established in 1984 and the vines are the oldest producing Syrah vines in New Zealand. The vines were rescued by Dr. Alan Limmer from the viticultural research vine collection at Te Kauwhata research station. Dr. Limmer had heard that the Syrah part of the collection was due to be disposed of as part of a restructuring of the Te Kauwhata vineyard. These vines were originally imported from Australia and were part of a research programme to test virus elimination techniques (which was successful). The entire Syrah collection was uplifted by Dr. Limmer and planted at Stonecroft.

When these vines were planted, they were the only source of Syrah vines in New Zealand. Stonecroft gave the wine industry free access to this material. There had been very little interest in producing Syrah in New Zealand, but the wine industry’s interest increased following Stonecroft’s earliest releases of wines made from Syrah. Many of New Zealand’s Syrah plantings are still derived from this clone; TK00080 (now commonly known as TK, Heritage or the Limmer clone).

The original vines proved to be of high quality and well suited to the Gimblett Gravels terroir. There is debate over the origin of the clone. Previously it was assumed that it was a 1960’s import from Australia, but recent evidence suggests the clone may have been from Adelaide’s early botanical collection. In any event the clone is likely to be a pre-phylloxera one, possibly linked to the high quality Sirene clone still used by a few Rhône producers today. Recent research by Dr. Paul White suggests this material is derived from original early imports of French Syrah which James Busby sent back to Sydney’s Botanical Collection in 1831-32.

Clayton, many of the NZ Syrahs use Limmer clone, but presumably some use other, more efficient clones …

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Plus, of course, the higher average vine age Stonecroft has than many others must also be a factor in what you are seeing …

Cheers, Howard

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Here’s another vintage of this wine I thought I’d add to this old thread:

  • 2005 Craggy Range Syrah Le Sol Gimblett Gravels Vineyard - New Zealand, North Island, Hawkes Bay, Gimblett Gravels (11/9/2014)
    This note consistent with my other TN for this wine (I have now just read). Under screwcap. Colour deep red, tending black. A bouquet of dark spices, dark cherry, black Doris plums, dark chocolate and Porcini mushroom with a dash of black pepper. Some development on bouquet, but mainly ripe, primary fruit aromas. In the mouth, a big, structured but sleek wine, very modern. Good dense fruit with silky, fine grained tannins. Some acids hold the palate together. Flavours are in the dark berry spectrum, particularly dark plums and blackberries, with some spice and cola. Not overblown, relatively elegant and finessed, but a little too linear. It could do with more complexity on palate. At 14%, the alcohol is a little too prominent, but not too the level of being a fault. Not as good as I remember the 2006. In its drinking window now, I don’t think it will improve or develop materially from here. But no hurry to drink, on the plateau for 5+ years, I’d say. (91 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

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2009 Elephant Hill Syrah Airavata
Cool climate syrah profile. Fragrance of roses and cassis. Rich and textured with good length and concentration. Very primary. On the second day, this was showing some salinity and had become quite softer. To follow.

2007 Sacred Hill Syrah Deer Stalkers
Showing some signs of development but this feels over-ripe and therefore turning a bit raisiny. Concentration is impressive, of course and there is a degree of balance. Drying on the finish showing a bit of brett which becomes noticeable also in the nose as the wine opens. Could pass as an ozzie shiraz.

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Thanks for the update on the Deer Stalkers Thierry. I really liked this wine when it was first released, thought it was in for a great future…shows you how much I know!!. I thought it was very clean and pure, with no hint of Brett…lucky I brought the Helmsmen instead…I guess I had better go and check on that.