Novum Marlborough Syrah 2022

Category:
 
Red Wines
Sub-Category:  
 
Red Wines
Producer:
 
Novum
Label Name:
 
Marlborough Syrah
Vintage:
 
2022
Country:
 
New Zealand
Region:
 
Marlborough
Volume:
 
750ml
ABV:
 
13.5%
Grape(s):
 
97% Syrah, 3% Viognier
Acidity:
 
3
Tannins:
 
3
Sweetness:
 
1
Body:
 
4
Length:
 
4
Aroma Intensity:
 
4
Best Temperature:
 
16-18°C

Awards/Ratings
Producer tasting note & tech sheet (Novum) lists Alcohol 13. Novum Basket Press Syrah 2021 earned 94 pts (Bob Campbell MW); later vintages received positive reviews (Jancis Robinson commentary)

Tasting Note
Concentrated yet elegant: plum compote, coffee/mocha, black & white pepper and spicy oak. Rich, round palate with soft, approachable tannins and good concentration. Cellar 6–9 years.

Food Pairing
Western: grilled or roasted lamb, roast beef, charred steak, beef stew, aged cheddar. Asian: char siu, Sichuan pepper beef, Korean BBQ short ribs, miso-roasted eggplant, hoisin-glazed pork.

Production Method
Hand-harvested, de-stemmed to open-top fermenters; wild-yeast fermentation (~5 days) with 2–3 pump-overs/day; 35+ days on skins; basket-pressed; 14 months in French oak puncheons (30% new).

Vineyard Info
One-acre, close-planted Syrah block (5,600 plants/ha) on heavy clay in Marlborough; 3% Viognier interplanted. Novum founded by Will & Rachel Hoare, focusing on small parcels and low-intervention, site-driven wines.