2021 Bilancia La Collina Hawkes Bay Syrah

"The 2021 La Collina Syrah is floral on the nose, with lavender, rose petals, pomegranate pearls, fresh blood, graphite, black tea and umami/bone broth inflections. In the mouth, the wine is light as a feather, elongated and ethereal, spiced and fine. It flutters over a long, lingering finish that is layered with star anise and clove—layers that settle upon one another, fine as sheets of tissue paper. Be still, heart. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Due to challenging vintage conditions in 2022 and the disastrous flood in 2023, there was no La Collina made in either vintage. In 20 years, there was no 2003, 2011/2012, 2022/2023. The La Collina Syrah is without a doubt, New Zealand's greatest Syrah, and it is a gift to the wine world. If it is new to you, make it not so. It ages with grace and ease and will only repay careful cellaring with years of joy in the future. Go slow and gentle. Drink 2023-2041"

"Aromas of smoked meat, brambleberry, oyster shell, and bark. Some black tea leaf too. Full-bodied and chewy with ultra-fine tannins. White pepper. Dried lavender. Silky-textured with a long finish. Drinkable but better in a year or two. Screw cap."

"Due for release in November 2022 this wine is fantastic - with a bouquet of concentration and power, is very expressive with aromas of dark berries and field mushrooms, fruit and barrel spices, wood smoke and very youthful energy. Black currant and baked meats, mushroom and clove, dark fleshed raspberry, barrel spices and violets. Equally fantastic on the palate, very taut still, youthful and high energy with concentrated flavours of fruit and earth, wood and power. Tannins are ripe, polished, in abundance and layer in mouthfeel to an already impressive texture. The backbone of acidity contrasts the core fruit flavours adding length, shape and form. Delicious, new and cellar worthy. Best drinking likely from 2025 through 2040."