Smith&Sheth Cru Heretaunga Syrah 2020

Category:
 
Red Wines
Sub-Category:  
 
Red Wines
Producer:
 
Smith&Sheth
Label Name:
 
Cru Heretaunga Syrah
Vintage:
 
2020
Country:
 
New Zealand
Region:
 
Hawke's Bay (Heretaunga / Gimblett Gravels, Omahu, Mangatahi)
Volume:
 
750ml
ABV:
 
13%
Grape(s):
 
Syrah
Acidity:
 
3
Tannins:
 
3
Sweetness:
 
1
Body:
 
4
Length:
 
4
Aroma Intensity:
 
4
Best Temperature:
 
15-18°C

Awards/Ratings
Notable scores for CRU Heretaunga Syrah vintages: Bob Campbell MW ~96, James Suckling 93; praised by Wine Orbit and other critics for concentration and aging potential

Tasting Note
Deep ruby; aromas of blackberry, plum, red liquorice, black pepper and floral notes. Medium–full palate of ripe black fruits, raspberry, anise, thyme, and savoury spice with vanilla and cedar from oak; long, savoury finish.

Food Pairing
Western: roast lamb, beef short ribs, charcuterie, grilled venison, mushroom ragu. Asian: Korean BBQ (bulgogi), char siu, Sichuan-style beef, yakitori, hoisin-glazed duck.

Production Method
Hand-picked fruit; 100% destemmed (not crushed), gentle pump-overs during fermentation, pressed after dryness. Aged ~14 months in French oak barriques (≈35% new). Minimal intervention, traditional skin-fermentation for Syrah.

Vineyard Info
Smith & Sheth (Steve Smith MW & Brian Sheth) are contemporary négociants sourcing top Hawke's Bay parcels (Gimblett Gravels, Omahu, Mangatahi) to craft terroir-driven CRU wines since 2014–2017.