OBLIIX SYRAH / MALBEC / VIOGNIER 2023

Winery notes (2023 Vintage)
"An immediately inviting wine with lifted aromatics and smooth tannins. The Syrah component offers ripe black berry fruit and spice notes, while the Malbec provides a structure that enhances the front palate. A splash of Viognier adds a hint of floral perfume and a softness to the finish. While this a rare varietal blend, the partners complement each other perfectly.

Cornerstone Vineyard – Gimblett Road, Hawkes Bay (74%). The vines sit on free draining soils – dubbed Omahu soils – left over from the 1867 flooding of the Ngaruroro River. The wines produced from this area are rich in complexity and flavours. The Cornerstone vineyard is the jewel in the crown (well we think so) producing wines of such exquisite structure and longevity.

The Viognier was hand picked and whole bunch pressed to barrel for fermentation and ageing. The Syrah and Malbec were harvested by hand and machine and were fermented in open top fermenters and plunged regularly to extract tannins and flavour. They were pressed separately to a mixture of new and old French barriques until blending in the winter of 2024."

Rated Excellent & 94/100 Cameron Douglas MS, June 2026 (2023 Vintage)
"A purple and ruby core with a pink rim, plenty of polish with a hint of staining in the tears. Aromas of fine power and precision, scents of blackcurrant then dark raspberry and a touch of plum. Layers of natural spice suggest a peppercorn note then wood smoke and a fine layer of baking spice with a lick of chocolate. A dry wine on the palate with a core of fruit flavours that mirror the bouquet, plenty of acidity and polished tannins frame that palate nicely. A wine that could be enjoyed from today though some cellar time will bring together all the attributes ensuring a more cohesive wine from late 2026, or early 2027 through 2033."