Element Vineyard Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2020

Vineyard: Element Vineyard
Subregion: Gimblett Gravels
Region: Hawke's Bay
Vintage: 2020
Soil Type: Free-draining gravel bed soils which have lenses of sand, silt and clay at various depths.
Clone: Chave, Mass Selection (Stonecroft)
Viticulture: Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand Certified (SWNZ)
Growers: Dominic and Rachelle Smith

Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand Certified (SWNZ)

The 2020 Element Vineyard Syrah is a portrait of fragrance and texture, showing the Gimblett Gravels’ rare combination of density and freshness. A high proportion of whole-bunch and signature co-fermentation with Grüner Veltliner lifts the bouquet into beguiling floral and spice notes - violet, star anise and smoked black pepper - woven with black plum, lifted currant and briny black olive notes.

On the palate it is compact and finely textured with bright acidity and attractive cocoa-powder tannins. Gentle oak and lees ageing adds richness and length without obscuring the site’s clarity. Perfumed with layered complexity now, it also promises rewarding development in bottle where it will reveal Syrah’s evocative tertiary nuances.