Bob Campbell is one of only 264 Masters of Wine in the world. An international wine judge, Bob judges wine professionally in ten countries and contributes regularly to publications around the world. His specialty is New Zealand wine which he reviews from an international perspective.

Mills Reef Elspeth Gimblett Gravels Hawke's Bay NZ Syrah 2007

Copyright © 2012 Bob Campbell, Master of Wine. Republishing Info.

93/100 55

Strong peppery Syrah in a very Rhone-like style. Intense red and dark berry flavours with a suggestion of star anise, liquorice, spicy oak and cracked black pepper. The texture is impressively smooth despite a firm backbone of ripe tannins that promise to give the wine cellaring potential. This is the best example of Mills Reef’s flagship Syrah label that I can recall tasting. It has significant power but delivers it with considerable subtlety.

Tasted: Apr 2009   Closure: S'cap    Average price: NZD $40 (~USD $34)

The above price is the estimated retail price given by the wine maker when it was submitted for review. It may not reflect the actual current market price.
USD pricing is a simple currency conversion from NZD and may not reflect the actual US retail pricing.

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These comments come straight from Bob's unedited tasting notes database. If you notice a spelling error or other problem on this page, please contact us so we can correct it.