We are delighted once again to release our collection of Hawke’s Bay wines: the Merlot based blends, Syrah and Chardonnay. 

Increasing vine age means most of our blocks of vines are settled and have found balance with their soils and conditions. As vine age increases beyond adolescence our role as vignerons becomes less invasive. Young vines require high intervention to ensure fruit ripens and roots deepen their grip on the site. The results are wines that sing rather than just whisper the characteristics of our incredible vineyard and the personality of the vintage. This is a watershed release for Craggy Range.

Inclemency is invariably a vagary of any Hawkes Bay harvest. The trick is having the right site - in the case of the Gimblett Gravels, free draining gravels, allied to impeccable vine husbandry. And lastly, some nerves of steel to allow fruit to ripen through threatening weather. 

In 2009 late summer rain tested these nerves but our resilience was rewarded with dry autumn conditions and arguably the best full bodied reds from our Gimblett Gravels Vineyard. The Bordeaux reds brood with dark fruits yet offer the restraint and elegance that only manifests when wines are just allowed to be, rather than manipulated into a shape or form by less sensitive, invasive winemaking. 

The 2009 Syrah can only be described as unbridled and flamboyantly perfumed. The scientists are busy dissecting Syrah to understand why the chemical constituents that give this varietal its signature pepper aromatics are off the scale in Hawkes Bay. However, pepper alone will not make a fine Syrah; the complimentary aromatics such as blueberry, aniseed and lavender are vital to ensure the wine is complex and harmonious. 2009 has it all.

2010 will go down as one of the best Hawkes Bay Chardonnay vintages; one may have to go back to 2004 for a comparable year. The fruit was clean and provided wines rich in fruit with textured long palates. Our approach to Chardonnay has modified in style over the last few years to temper the tendency to overblown flavours and oak driven embellishment. Some will lament the loss of deep colour, viscous texture and oak driven flavours, but most will recognize the superiority of these more floral, restrained and structured wines.

In addition to the Gimblett Gravels wines, the 2010 Kidnappers Vineyard Chardonnay will also be released. This is a mouthwatering offering where our coastal site infuses the wine with brine like mineral quality. This savoury element combined with fresh citrus fruit needs little embellishment from the winemaker. 

Enjoy!

Rod Easthope
Chief Winemaker

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