Te Mata Estate Syrah Hawkes Bay 2013 – $$

I first tasted this wine at this year’s Te Mata Showcase. I enjoyed it more than the feted Bullnose Syrah of the same vintage from the same producer served later at the same tasting.

The wine is coloured a quite lovely shade of dark pinky-purple. 13%. Lightly scented. Ripe dark berries. Licorice. In the mouth more dark berry flavours, hint of smoke and pepper, drying tannins, not a blockbuster but a good weighted syrah for this price. The longer the wine sat in the glass the more it opened up, got fruitier, and gained a smoother mouthfeel. It went really well with L’ s homemade pizzas!

I would buy this again for the colour alone.  4