Te Mata Bullnose Syrah - 2018

2019: Brilliant amethyst with a deep black core, Bullnose Syrah ’19 glimmers with raspberry, ripe black cherry, and dried strawberry over lush velvet tannins. There are grace notes of black pepper, chocolate, liquorice, lilac, even char and baking spices, with the structure and elegance contributing to undeniable ageing potential. Ripe-fruited. Taut. Silky. Bullnose Syrah ’19 is utter class. A black velvet beauty.

Wine Advocate 93: There was no 2017 released, but the 2018 Bullnose Syrah aims to make up for that, offering up wonderful fragrances on the nose—hints of violets and cracked pepper accent ripe cherries and plums. Medium-bodied and creamy-textured, with a sense of density and concentration on the palate, it finishes long, silky and elegant, with savory overtones of black olives. It comes mainly from Bridge Pa fruit, from a vineyard planted in 1990 and another in 2000, with a bit of Gimblett Gravels fruit as well.

James Suckling 93: This has abundant peppery and spicy red-plum and berry aromas with a sheen of spice, graphite and chocolate. The palate has a very elegant, focused feel with bright red berries, plums and fine, taut tannins. Drink or hold.

Wine Enthusiast 91: Te Mata's premium Shiraz is a powerful and chiseled wine in need of more time in the bottle. Currently it shows ripe cherry fruit, peppery spice and quite a bit of high gloss oak influence. The palate is cinched in muscular tannins and lifted by quite a bit of acidity. At the moment the two are not in harmony, but it likely needs several more years before it all knits together. Drink 2023–2030.

Vinous 93: The Bullnose is Te Mata's top Syrah. Sourced predominantly from the richer soils of the Bridge Pa, the 2019 Syrah Bullnose is a mid-weight expression with attractive silky flesh. The long, fragrant finish is mouthwatering yet firm, offering structured tannins and notes reminiscent of cinnamon, star anise, cloves and red fruit.

Wine Enthusiast 94: Simply put, this is a beauty of a Bullnose bottling. The ancient red-iron soils of this long-standing Hawkes Bay estate have turned out an evocative nose of plum and blueberry amid a sappy, early spring forest of fresh flowers, herbs and spice (think sage, bay, peppercorn, anise). There's brightness and freshness to the silky palate despite the chiseled tannins. Captures not only a sense of place but also Syrah's often elusive tightrope walk of power and elegance.