Sacred Hill Reserve Hawke's Bay Syrah 2017

Stephen Wong, Second Term Panellist 2019 Competition

“Lifted, complex pepper and violet aromas, lighter spectrum of fruit ripeness, fresh and quite floral throughout. A cooler-climate expression. The palate is framed by reasonably firm, grippy and angular tannins. Everything works up to the back-palate when the wine closes down. No improvement with food, sadly.”

Andrea Pritzker, Third Term Panellist 2019 Competition

“Deep ruby. Beautiful bouquet of blackberry and freshly cracked pepper. Vibrant and lively with bright red and blackberry fruit and a thread of freshly cracked black pepper. Beautifully balanced with spicy complexity. When paired with the pork dish the wine remained largely unchanged the bright fruit and spicy cracked pepper notes shining through.”

Warren Gibson, First Term Chairman of Judges, Eleventh Term Panellist 2019 Competition

“Quite a wild raw red fruit style. Fresh. Green peppercorn. Slightly open with a touch of bruised apple. Bitter and hard palate. Similar with the dish”

Corey Ryan, Second Term Panellist 2019 Competition

“Lifted red fruits hint of blues, whole bunch, pepper and spice aromas. Deliciously juicy rounded and interesting, chiselled acidity. The pairing works well. The pepper and spice of the wine is promoted by the romesco. The subtle salt and pork texture looks great against the chiselled tannins and acidity of the wine.”

Stuart James Halliday, Fourth Term Panellist 2019 Competition

“White pepper and spice, tannin profile is a little more forward, with a slight chewiness on the palate”

Susan Bastian, Fifth Term Panellist 2019 Competition

“Mid-deep ruby. Mixed plums, blue flowers, pepper, and sweet spice. Soft and sandy tannin enrobed in mixed berries. Finishes drying and a little early. Over powered by dish.”

Mark Robertson, Eighth Term Panellist 2019 Competition

“White Pepper spice dominated nose. Cool Climate fruit that is ripe and spiced up at the same time. Palate is chalky, clean and lengthy. Acid clean, lightly weighted tannins and pepper/Black Doris plum fruit. Very good wine. With Food ? I like this style. Spicy, elegant, clean and a compelling length with food. Terrific.”