Bullnose Syrah, Hawke’s Bay, 2020, Te Mata Estate

Deep magenta with an onyx-dark core, Bullnose ’18 has an immediate rich aroma of cinnamon, lavender, ultra-ripe raspberry and black cherry. Lush with plum and boysenberry, the palate has immense depth and is interwoven with black liquorice, spice and velvety chocolate tannins. A deep delight, replete in detail, the 2018 has a classically beautiful Bullnose purity with power, a sumptuous dark heart, and a long, structured, elegant finish.

Bullnose ’18 is closed with a natural cork, allowing continued evolution in bottle for eight years from harvest.

Each vintage of this wine gets better and John, as well as many other critics, believe it is destined to become one of New Zealand’s great wines. With black pepper aromas and a classic structure it is more Rhone than Australian Shiraz.