In a sea of big, plush Hawkes Bay Syrahs, this is the kind of fragrant, lighter bodied and fresh style we’re stoked to see (and taste). It has lifted sweet red berry aromatics, a Rhoney depth of flavour and a bright crunch on the finish. If chilled reds are your thing, this’ll do well, but equally we happily drank this not chilled. Fruit comes from the organically farmed TK Vineyard in Bridge Pa, was handpicked, wild yeast fermented, foot pressed and aged in mostly old oak. It was bottled without filtration or fining. 

Diana Hawkins and Frank Lepera are the self-confessed nerds behind this wine. After much study and hard work in Sommelier roles, they started Responsible Hedonist and produce wines from organically farmed vineyards with minimal intervention. The results are as delicious as they are thoughtfully made.