Helio Hawkes Bay Syrah, 2020
Tech Specs:
PH: 3.81
TA: 5.13
Alc: 13.02%
Residual Sugar: <1g/L
Date harvested:29th March 2020
Bottle closure: natural cork 45mm (twice tested)
Bottles Produced: 739
Viticulture
Helio Syrah is picked from two select blocks In Hawke’s bay. The Geographical differences are quite dramatic. The first being a coastal vineyard in Haumoana. With silt over clay loam and a northerly gentle slope it offers fruit purity and subtle tannin. The other being from Roy’s Hill producing spicy wines with pronounced tannin and subtle power. The blend of these two leads to a harmonious Syrah of balance.
2020
2020 was a different sort of year for many reasons. The growing season was ideal, with cool nights, warm days and menial rainfall. The result was being able to pick at optimal ripeness, without pushing things too far.
Winemaking
Both parcels of fruit ere co-fermented and spent around 20 days on skins. The Roys Hill fruit was left as whole bunches giving the wine complexity.
The wine entered natural malolactic fermentation on its own accord. We intentionally bottled with no fining and minimal filtration as we didn’t want to remove any of the natural balance created.
A touch of SO2 was added at bottling to protect 24 months of work and ensure maximum enjoyment when opening for many years to come.
Tasting notes Syrah 2020
Incredibly dark and moody in the glass, crimson and ruby. Close your eyes and you’re in the Northern Rhone. A fresh, herbal note lifts a platform of dark juicy fruit ripened to perfection. Sage, Thyme, Cyprus tree, blackberry, quince and pepper are the first act with a black and red cherry baked tart as the second wave of aromatics. On the palate, the broad wine is driven by an elegant acid line. Cherries, baked berry, tea and tobacco lead the mouth feel. As the tannins come to enrobe the mouth feel the fruit lifts and sharpens. Mellow tobacco, game, leather and spice make for a tasty finsh.