Goldwater Waiheke Island Syrah 2008

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Winemakers Notes

This is the first vintage of our Zell vineyard Syrah. The grapes were hand harvested in late March off top grafted Syrah in our Zell vineyard on Waiheke Island. As this was a first crop the vines were heavily crop thinned to 4 bunches per vine give a crop of approximately 1 tonne the acre. The grapes were harvested in fine condition at 23.7 Brix with near perfect acid/tannin balance.

Once in the winery, the grapes were de-stemmed and 30% crushed into a small fermenter for 5 days with twice daily hand plunging, after another 3 weeks on skins the wine was pressed and put to French oak barrels, 50% new. After malo-lactic fermentation was completed in barrel the wine was racked and blended in tank and was put back to oak  for a further 9 months. The wine was bottled in june without filtration or fining.

The wine shows all the complexity that Syrah is known for, an intense colour, lifted and intense aromas of black pepper, anise and lifted smoky oak. A fine and powerful palate with lingering weight and firm subtle tannins showcasing intense dark berry fruits combined with tasty oak and vanilla characters.   

This wine is to be enjoyed now, and at it’s best drinking 2010 – 2013.

Region:                         100% Waiheke Island

Harvest Date:                30 March – 5 April 2008

Brix at Harvest:             23.5 Brix

Residual Sugar:              Dry