HUSH SYRAH 2021

Made as a collaboration between Decibel founder Daniel Brennan and a friendly local winemaking legend who must remain anonymous while under contract elsewhere. Try as you might, we'll never spill the beans on their identity, but perhaps you can taste their fingerprint on the wine? 

Winery notes (2021 Vintage)
"The 2021 Hush Syrah, well what can I say. I can't say too much! This is from a very gravelly site in Hawke's Bay. Yes, you know the region I'm talking about. But I just can't say it. Not only for trademark reasons but also because the owner of these vines is not keen on you knowing it came from this site. But those warm stones, boney tannins and the leaning into some more toasty oak along with one of the best vintages in recent years, resulted in a wine that is deep, dark and sultry. Deep raspberries and hints of smoke give way to a lush, silky Hush. My collaboration with another winemaker was just as influential and fun as the previous year. But it's a new site, a new winemaker but just as “hush, hush” as always…"

5 Stars & 95/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, August 2023 (2021 Vintage)
"This is richly fruited and perfumed on the nose, showing Black Doris plum, blueberry, violet, game and hazelnut aromas. The concentrated palate delivers awesome fruit purity and weight, well complemented by plush texture and layers of fine-grained tannins, finishing splendidly long and structured. At its best: 2024 to 2035."

93/100 Decanter UK (2021 Vintage)
"Very expressive nose of candied violets, blackberry compote, fig, pepper and clove, Cassis and juicy roast lamb juices on the palate, grippy tannins, Fresh acidity lifts the finish. Excellent."

93/100 Gary Walsh, The Wine Front, June 2024 (2021 Vintage)
"Dusty cupboard spice, white pepper, blackcurrant. Medium-bodied, fine dusty peppery tannin offers light grip, a little truffle seasoning, some red fruit on the finish, with bright acidity and good length. No mistaking it for anything other than Syrah. Restrained style, almost into N.Rhone. Frisky and stylish."

92/100 Cameron Douglas MS, September 2023 (2021 Vintage)
"Dark purple and ruby core with a pink rim and colour staining of the tears. Aromas of dark berries and violets, plums and fresh black currant. A very youthful bouquet with power, intensity and drive. Equally powerful on the palate with a taut core of red berries and plums, black currant and chocolate flavours. Firm tannins and back bone of acidity both need time to settle and integrate fully. A lovely wine that I expect will age rather well. best drinking from 2026 through 2032."

4 Stars Yvonne Lorkin, October 2023 (2021 Vintage)
"While any tasting notes and technical details about this wine are sketchy, (due to it being a secret Decibel Wines collaboration project), you really don’t need to know anything except that it’s incredibly floral and vibrantly spiced on the nose, dark berries, classic pepper, it’s all here. The palate is fresh, savoury, generously proportioned and has tannins that create a lovely gum-tingling grip and cling."

4 Stars Cuisine NZ Syrah Tasting, June 2024 (2021 Vintage)
"Deep ruby with intensity in the glass that goes to the rim. The nose is subdued but inviting with lifted florals and spice. The palate is rich with fruit sweetness and generous with nice-weight grainy tannins and a silky flow. "