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PREMIUM

Top New Zealand Syrah from our panel tasting

New Zealand Syrahs – especially those from Gimblett Gravels – are consistently high quality, and excellent value compared to the Rhône. And recent vintages are the best ever.

  • 68 wines tasted with two rated Outstanding

  • The panel tasters were: Melanie Brown, Christine Parkinson & Philip Tuck MW


The summary

The results may have been different if judged by a panel of Kiwis – nevertheless the Gimblett Gravels sub-region and the 2013 vintage were the clear winners, says Bob Cambpell MW…

The tasting raises an interesting distinction between the palates of UK judges, who are more likely to be influenced by Rhône styles, and those of Kiwi judges, who perhaps have a stronger New World focus. If the same wines had been assessed by New Zealand judges, I’d say there would have been an even stronger emphasis on the intensely fruity Hawke’s Bay and Waiheke wines from the 2013 vintage, while wines from cooler South Island regions may not have fared as well. Kiwi judges favour purity, ripeness and intensity while UK judges seem more forgiving about herbal and rustic nuances.

 

 

 

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