• French oak
• Black Doris plum
• Warm spice
• Ripe tannins

"A stunning rendition of the variety, showing Black Doris plum, blueberry, violet, cedar and warm spice aromas, leading to a concentrated palate delivering terrific fruit power with plush texture and layers of fine-grained tannins. Wonderfully composed with awesome fruit purity and stylish complexity. At its best: 2024 to 2038" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Apr 2023

"Fantastic bouquet and palate - a concentration of colour and intensity, dark berry fruits and smoky oak qualities. On the palate a wine of equal allure with a firm polished palate showcasing dark plums and black cherry flavours, clove and cinnamon oak, firm tannins and a back bone of acidity. Plush, lengthy a touch of peppery spice with a complex and intense flavour package. Great drinking from 2023 through 2030" Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, May 2023

"Intense, ripe, youthful red with plum, dark berry, cassis, cedar, black pepper and spicy oak flavours. Impressive weight and concentration that suggests a promising future although it is just a little closed right now" Bob Campbell, Master of Wine, Real Review, May 2023

This rich and seductive Syrah is a blend of parcels from our vineyards in Hawkes Bays Gimblett Gravels sub-region. 2021 delivered Syrah packed full of trademark dark fruit and spice. Dense purple hues lead to a perfumed nose of blueberries, violet and subtle black pepper. Ripe tannins encase concentrated fruit on a long and silky palate framed by juicy acidity. Careful cellaring of up to 10+ years will add further complexity.

2021 will be remembered as a great Hawkes Bay vintage. A hot dry summer ensured good ripeness with cooler night-time temperatures keeping freshness in the grapes. A settled Autumn ensured fruit was harvested in excellent condition.

Villa Maria’s Reserve Syrah vineyards are located in the Gimblett Gravels of Hawkes Bay. The free-draining soils, warm daytime temperatues and cool nights encourage naturally devigourated vines to ripen their low yields slowly and evenly. These factors, along with well-timed vineyard management techniques ensure the resulting wines are deeply coloured and well structured, with pure aromatics and flavours classic to the variety.