Another Red Destined for Greatness

Observer wine critic Tim Atkins calls Hawke’s Bay Syrah “one of the most exciting wine styles I’ve tasted in the past five years.” The red varietal makes up just 3% of the region’s vineyards, which are dominated by Chardonnay, Cabernet and Merlot. “There may only be 1,500 acres of Syrah in New Zealand, compared with nearly 10,000 of Pinot Noir, but in my view the two varieties have equal potential for greatness,” writes Atkins. His pick of the Hawke’s Bay Syrah available in Britain is the 2005 Te Mata Bullnose: “a cellar-worthy red … you’ll never regret buying.” The 2004 Te Awa, 2004 Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels and 2005 Villa Maria Cellar Selection also come highly recommended.