From the Cellar: Esk Valley Hawkes Bay Syrah 2010 – $$

Recommended by Geoff Kelly, I tried this first back in August 2012. Noted it needed time in bottle to open out more. And on the first night open today I thought exactly the same. It showed a bit closed, thin & mean. Stuck between primary and secondary. I don’t want to Thrash Decant so best to leave it to sit overnight and try again…

Which I did. Not too much of an improvement on the night before. The wine presents as largely correct. There are interesting notes and complexity. But what is lacking is the fruit weight, extract, florality and ripeness I expected. Only a 3+