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Buy OnlineWinery notes (2020 Vintage)
"The Icon range Is the pinnacle of our winemaking. They are fine and rare wines made in strictly limited quantities. Our top Syrah is named after the King-God of Elephants called Airavata, the sacred white elephant in Hindu mythology."
5 Stars Michael Cooper, October 2023 (2020 Vintage)
"An emerging star. The powerful, dense 2020 vintage was estate-grown and hand-harvested in the Gimblett Gravels (60 per cent), the Bridge Pa Triangle (39 per cent), and at Te Awanga (1 per cent). Blended with a splash of Viognier (1 per cent), it was matured for two years in French oak casks (40 per cent new). Dark and supple, it is highly concentrated, with ripe plum, blackcurrant and spice flavours, complex and savoury, buried tannins, and lovely richness and harmony. Full of cellaring potential, it should flourish for at least a decade; maybe a lot longer."
5 Stars & 98/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, September 2023 (2020 Vintage)
"Power and grace in one, this stunning expression shows rich fruit intensity, toasty oak, cured meat and potpourri aromas on the nose, followed by a substantial palate delivering plush texture and multi-layered mouthfeel. Tannins are fine and grainy, combined with opulence and impeccable balance, leading to an ultra-long, delectable finish. A blend of Gimblett Gravels (60%) & Bridge Pa (40%). At its best: 2025 to 2040."
Rated Outstanding & 97/100 Cameron Douglas MS, October 2023 (2020 Vintage)
"Fabulous colour and intensity with polished ruby and purple hues lead to a complex and layered bouquet of ripe red berry fruits, flowers and spices, an earthy stone and clay soil suggestion and oak with a myriad baking spices and smoky oak. There’s a lovely pretty side to the bouquet that unfurls slowly as the wine becomes ambient. Delicious on the palate beginning with a youthful and quite locked up attack with a taut texture and firmness from tannins and acidity. Then, as the wine begins to open out and relax just a little the core flavours of variety and complexity begin to show with fresh, baked and compote of black currant, boysenberry and meat, savoury almost peppery mushroom then clove and smoky wood with a whisper of bacon. There’s a nut and dark cacao note and violets. An outstanding wine that needs your patience cellar. Best drinking from 2027 through 2040."
5 Stars & 95/100 Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review, October 2023 (2020 Vintage)
"A co-fermented blend of syrah 99% and viognier 1% has produced a supple, elegant wine with ripe plum, black pepper, and subtle floral flavours. Deliciously accessible now but with cellaring potential. Well-structured red with a backbone of sweet, ripe tannins."
5 Stars & 19.5-/20 (97) Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Reviews, October 2023 (2020 Vintage)
"Full, deep ruby-red, lighter on the rim. The nose is alluring, complex yet harmonious, with aromas of plum, boysenberry, blackberry and violet melded with minerals and spice. Full-bodied, aromas of plum and boysenberry entwined with violet, savoury, earthy elements, smoked meat, nutmeg and clone. The mouthfeel is rich and dense, packed with savoury mineral details; fine-grained, smooth tannins provide structure, along with black tea fragrance and earthy minerals, clinging to the side of the palate and lingering to a lasting closing. This flagship Syrah is impressive, well-structured with concentration, fine-grained tannins and balanced acidity. Match with venison and roasted lamb over the next 12+ years."
18.5/20 Joelle Thompson, JoelleThompson.com (2020 Vintage)
"This wine pays tribute to the great reds of the Northern Rhone Valley in France with 99% Syrah complemented by 1% of Viognier. The grapes were co fermented to add soft fleshy textures and a peachy note to the dark spicy fruit of ripe Syrah, which is a blend of grapes grown on the Gimblett Gravels, Bridge Pa and 1% from Te Awanga. This judicious, clever blending followed by 24 months of ageing in oak barrels (40% new) all adds an impressively structured framework to the wine while also allowing its savoury taste to lead the flavours here. This tastes youthful now and can age for at least a decade."
