Stonecroft Syrah 2007

 

Michael Cooper

Buyer’s Guide to New Zealand Wines 2010

 

Hawke’s Bay winemaker Dr. Alan Limmer was the country’s first to consistently produce a top-flight Syrah. The early vintages were grown entirely in Stonecroft’s stony, arid vineyard in Mere Road, west of Hastings, but the 1998 introduced grapes from the newer Tokarahi Vineyard at the foot of Roy’s Hill, which is contributing ‘denser, more intense flavours’. Maturation is for 18 months in French oak barriques 50 per cent new). The 2007 vintage (****) is very elegant, with full, bright colour and youthful plum and spice flavours, vibrant and supple. The 2008 (tasted prior to bottling, and so not rated) looked superb – dark, beautifully perfumed, notably ripe and rich.