Craggy Range 2009 Syrah Le Sol

Tasting Notes: Alluring, Rhône-style aromas and flavors of blue and black fruits, exotic spices accented with black pepper.

Red wines from the Gimblett Gravels vineyard have a rich, ripe and elegant style, and fine tannins.

Le Sol is Wine Advocate’s highest scoring New Zealand wine and its only New Zealand wine to be rated over 95 points.

Made only in the best years, Le Sol (the soil) is from this producer's famed estate vineyard, Gimblett Gravels. Harvest occurs in several passes, taking only the ripest fruit with each pass.  If your preference for great Syrah skews more towards Chateauneuf du Pape than Hermitage, this is the wine for you.

The Vineyard grows 250 acres of red and white French varieties - Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. The gravelly soils reduce the vigor of the old heritage clone Syrah vines (brought over in the 1840s) and provide warmth in the autumn and winter. Both are critical factors in developing the enormous character and presence of this wine.

Drinking at its peak now through 2029.