This organically grown Syrah has a brooding, dark fruit spectrum, but avoids being too dense. It’s smokey, medium bodied and fine. Organically grown fruit was source from the banks of the Oratia stream in West Auckland. It was wild yeast fermented with whole bunches for one month. Having worked for Francois Villard in the Rhone Valley, Laurence from Gravel Down has had the opportunity to learn from one of the world’s best Syrah producers. We suggest this will benefit from decanting before you knock it back.

We're always excited for new releases from Laurence and his partner Rebecca Thorne. The couple moved back to New Zealand and set up a tiny winery in a Kauri shed overlooking the Waima Ranges in Northland, before relocating to Waiheke. They source fruit from a small organic vineyard in West Auckland and make wines with minimal intervention. They’re certainly on our list of ones to watch.