Limited offer - Benchmark Grand Cru NZ Syrah... now has a Grand Cru Chardonnay sister

Bilancia Tiratore Chardonnay 2020

96/100 Bob Campbell MW - 96/100 Cameron Douglas MS - Limited availability at $81.99

Bilancia Tiratore (to-ra-to-re) hunter/marksman is a new release from this famous producer and made in very limited volumes. If you have tasted their La Collina Syrah, then say no more, you will not want to miss out on this new Chardonnay.

A single vineyard Chardonnay from vines originally planted in 2001 on the lower slopes, terraces, and flat, old riverbed of the La Collina vineyard.

Rich, warm aromas of freshly buttered sourdough, sun ripened stone fruits, and wild fennel with cinnamon, vanilla, and toasty oak nuances. Simply superb, I could smell this all day. A rich, unctuous palate that satisfies on every level. The creamy texture cuddles your taste buds, balanced by a salty, crunchy acid thread. Ripe stone fruit flavours burst onto the palate giving way to freshly churned butter, and vanilla pod with toasty, oaky flavours leading to a lingering roasted hazelnut finish. This is a statement, as it their Syrah and worth every penny. No rush to drink as will cellar for 5-8 years and made for creamy pasta or roasted white meats.

Bilancia La Collina Syrah 2020

98/100 James Suckling - 97/100 Cameron Douglas MS - Limited availability at $137.99

Who makes Hawke’s Bay’s finest Syrah, Trinity Hill, or Bilancia? It’s sort of a trick question since the answer should really be “Warren Gibson”, who makes both! Homage is his day job with Trinity Hill and La Collina his own personal project with his wife and fellow winemaker, Lorraine Leheny. From a truly great year for Syrah, and off a remarkable Grand Cru level vineyard… this 2020 La Collina is a class act!

A quite astonishing nose showing all sorts of warm herb and spice complexity, with pepper, leather, liquorice, anise, and smoke. The palate is amazingly long and savoury with lots of sweet black fruit, graphite, dark chocolate, and luxurious tannins. One of the greatest Syrah ever made in NZ, if you’re serious about wine, this needs to be in your cellar. No rush to drink but it is surprisingly smooth drinking now, it has the class, concentration, and breeding to age 10-20 years+. Ideally served with roasted red meats with a medley of vegetables including red and green peppers.