Stonecroft's Hawke's Bay, NZ wines have blitzed the latest Gourmet Traveller WINE magazine (Apr/May edition 2015) scoring points from Bob Campbell of up to 98 for their top Syrah.
Stonecroft Gimblett Gravels Reserve Syrah 2013 - Hawke's Bay NZ - 98 Points
98 Points is Highest Bob Campbell Score ever for Hawke's Bay Syrah (Shiraz): "Deep, dense, ripe Syrah that’s jam-packed with dried fruits/Christmas cake, spice/black pepper/anise, liquorice, and dark chocolate flavours. Firmly structured red with impressive cellaring potential. This is a very serious Syrah indeed from a great site, old vines and an outstanding vintage."
Stonecroft Gimblett Gravels Ruhanui Merlot Cabernet 2013 - Hawke's Bay NZ - 94 Points
Lucky to get some this year. 2013 was an outstanding vintage. Dense black fruit flavours, particularly blackcurrant and blackberry. Fine grained tannins and a very long finish. A vibrant nose with blackcurrant, black berry, casis, cinnamon and black olive. Hints of Bordeaux, but of course 100% Gimblett Gravels. “A dense, rip blend of 60% Merlot with Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark berry, plum, chocolate and spice flavours underpinned by fine, ripe tannins. Attractive wine that promises to age well.”
Stonecroft Gimblett Gravels Zinfandel 2013, Hawke's Bay NZ - 94 Points
This is a fabulous red by any standard. Probably the only Zin' to leave the NZ shores, and it's a beauty declared by Dermott (winemaker) best he has ever made. Ripe fruit flavours including boysenberry, black cherry and loganberry. A deep ruby red colour, silky tannins add to a very long smooth finish. "Dense, ripe Zinfandel with classic cranberry/dark berry, spice and liquorice flavours plus a seasoning of spice/anise and a solid influence of American oak. A tad closed and hard to read at this stage but with obvious cellaring potential. The best local Zinfandel I’ve yet tasted. "
