Babich, Winemakers’ Reserve, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, 2014

Babich has always made its Winemakers’ Reserve Syrah from its own Gimblett Gravels vineyard. About 18 months ago the family bought another vineyard in the nearby Bridge Pa Triangle district of Hawke’s Bay and made Syrah from both areas. When they tasted samples of both, the wine from the heavier soils of Bridge Pa was deemed better. It certainly seemed to produce a wine with more pronounced peppery character. The wine was matured in French oak barriques for 12 months.   Melanie Brown<br /> Dominant rhubarb nose and palate, complemented by soft perfume, delicate spice and rich fruits. Persistent length that keeps opening; tannin structure is just superb.   Christine Parkinson<br /> Big, liquorice and cassis aromas; a dense, inky and juicy palate, with an exotic minerality and spice. Long, lean and textured with gentle tannins.   Philip Tuck MW<br /> Still tight and oaky. Impressive depth and there is real complexity to the pure fruit here. Delicious, balanced, very long finish.