Summer Wine Guide 2023

2020 Smith & Sheth CRU Heretaunga Syrah

G 94

Complex layered nose, dried herbs, red plum, dried hay, bright crunchy acidity. Tart red fruit cranberry and pomegranate starts to unfold and reveal earthy savoury layers. Excellent tannin structure, very firm tannins. Slightly chewy finish. Still very young but distinctive and layered. 2020 The Landing Madre Syrah G 94 Opens with bright red plum and a twist of spicy cracked pepper. Medium- bodied with hints of white blossom and silky tannins. Still slightly tight and firm at this stage. Will benefit from a year or two in the bottle to reveal its full potential. 2021 Krondorf Old Salem Shiraz G 93+ Deep colour. Intense dark cherry, blackberry, elderberry, dark chocolate, ginger/cedar, hint liquorice aromas with chinotto notes. Richly concentrated dark berry fruits, fine chocolate textures and fresh cedar/ mocha oak notes. Finishes chocolaty and long. Vivid, concentrated and elemental. Lovely freshness and richness of flavour. Let it develop. Now–2030 2021 Coriole The Soloist Shiraz G 93 Lifted bouquet of ripe red plum, hint of blueberry and dried herbs. Well structured and contained with chocolate tannins, leading to a long blue- fruit-tinged finish. Now–2033 2021 Brokenwood Tallawanta Vineyard Shiraz Medium-deep crimson. Intense red cherry, hint boysenberry aromas with praline/vanilla notes. Juicy and sweet fruited red cherry, cola flavours, fine slinky textures and long fresh acidity. Finishes chalky and long. Very attractive with medium-term cellaring potential. Now–2028 2021 Little Giant Single Vineyard Shiraz Shiraz G 93 Deep crimson. Intense black cherry, blackberry praline aromas with hints of liquorice and spice. Generous and fruit sweetened with ample choco-berry flavours, fine loose-knit silk textures, lovely mid-palate richness and well integrated fresh acidity. Some flinty notes at the finish. Now–2027 G 93