Interesting comments below with respect to NZ syrah. As it turns out I spent 3 days in hawkes bay over the weekend, visited 24 wineries and tasted over 100 wines.
The highlights: Brookfields Syrah (2002), Stonecroft Syrah(2002), Esk Vally Reserve Merlot Cab(2002), Esk Valley Merlot (2002), Brookfields Gold Label Cab Merlot(2002).
The 2002's appear to be an excellent vintage for syrah and merlot on the Gimblett Gravels. The cabs seem to struggle with ripeness. Almost all wineries (with the exception of Brookfields) have a merlot or syrah as their flagship. Even Coleraine is merlot dominant in 2002 aparently due to lack of rip cabernet.
In summary, the good were extremely good, particularly the ones mentioned above.