NZ Shiraz

[707]

Help needed guys and gals.

I've got a non Australian Shiraz Options Tasting to attend in two weeks so need suggestions as to which NZ Shiraz might look good in such a line up. I'd think they'll be a few Frogs in the lineup too.

Thanks in advance.

[GrahamB]

Craggy Range Le Sol is usually pretty good.

Graham

[roughred]

The Le Sol as mentioned above is pretty special if you can find it. Ata Rangi from Martinborough do a pretty outstanding Syrah, and the Te Mata "Bullnose" Syrah probably has the best track record of all Kiwi Syrah's. All can be hard to find, but a "Bullnose" should be lurking in one of Adelaides fine wine stores.

Cheers,

LL

[Geoffrey]

Had a tasting of 02 New Zealand Syrah late last year, the following are the wines we had and in order of most preferred.

Graggy Range La Sol nz $80

Dry River Lovatt = $70

Mills Reef Elspeth = $45

Esk Valley $35

Te Mata Bullnose = $40

Brookfield's Hillside = $38

Fromm La Strada $50

Newton Forrest $40
Cornerstone

Stonecroft $45


Put a Grange 97 and Graiglee 01, Delas Les Bessards 98 (France) and a Crozs Hermitage Les Pierrelles 01 (France) up against the the NZ Syrah of which the Kiwis held their own very well in the tasting.
Hope this is of some help.

Geoffrey

[Kieran]

Why not up against 96 Grange and 00 Craiglee? Or did you want a fair fight?

Kieran

[Geoffrey]

I think the host on the day wanted to clear out his cellar at our expense !

[Craig(NZ)]

Hawkes Bay: There are heaps of good ones but my personal favourites

Big:

Craggy Range Le Sol (Opulent)
Mills Reef Elspeth (solid safe i hate the word but 'commercial')
Unison (Concentrated and bold)
Vidals Soler (silky dark layered and concentrated)
Vidals Estate (good cheap one as above a bit more open)

More Elegant:
Te Mata Bullnose
Bilancia La Collina
Brookfields Hillside

also Trinity Hill Homage is the new super premium which ive heard is very good but never tried it $105

Martinborough
Dry River

Marlborough
Fromm La Strada (will surprise the shit out of those who think marlborough can only do the one red - pinot)

[707]

Thanks everyone, that should do the job nicely. A couple of lurkers going to the same tasting are probably piggybacking on your advice too.

Wicko & Martin - do your own research!

[lantana]

Hi Craig NZ,

Have you had the Stonecroft Syrah 2002 lately? I note it was the least favoured in Geoffrey's tasting last year, but I've seen some offered recently for AU$35 a bottle (mixed or straight doz. price), do you think it's worth looking at?

Thanks lantana

[Craig(NZ)]

Stonecroft is an established NZ classic and the pioneer really of the variety in NZ, certainly the Hawkes Bay. It has actually been years since i tried a stonecroft syrah. I think really its sun has set with a number of the new comers eclipsing it. Having said that it is a 90s classic

If I was offered it at $35 I dont think id especially rush out and buy a lot of them, but may be worth a look from an educational point of view.

[Geoffrey]

lantana
Sue Courtney has a tasting note for Stonecroft on her site www.wineoftheweek.com Type Stonecroft Syrah 2002 into the search box on the home page and it will bring up the tasting notes.

Geoffrey

[Guest]

lantana
Sue Courtney has a tasting note for Stonecroft on her site www.wineoftheweek.com Type Stonecroft Syrah 2002 into the search box on the home page and it will bring up the tasting notes.

Geoffrey

Thanks Geoffrey, it looks like Sue thinks it is the business, I will definitely be picking a couple up & see if I agree with her. Her tasting notes definitely appeal to the style of Syrah/Shiraz that I most enjoy.

lantana

[lantana]

I was sure I was logged in!

[Guest]

WHAT HAPPEND TO THE CRICKET THREAD?

[Guest]

MWAHAHAHA