A superb wine. Quite possibly the greatest expression of syrah that New Zealand has produced to date. The level of complexity and concentration, the layering of flavors and textures, the length of tannins – there is so much to admire in this wine. Fruits are in the raspberry, red plum and blackberry spectrum, doused in pepper and every imaginable woody spice. Hints of chocolate, too. A thrilling and vibrant syrah. James Suckling Dec 17 >

Raised in 60% new oak, the 2015 Homage Syrah has completely soaked that up, showing only plenty of dark, plummy fruit and ample spice on the nose. Hints of black olive and mocha show up on the medium to full-bodied palate, bolstered by silky tannins. This is not a huge, blockbuster year for Homage, instead showing a suppler, gentler side of the Gimblett Gravels.

Deep crimson. Incredibly peppery and scented dark-red fruit. Dry, charry but fresh. Fine-boned and compact in texture, layers of paper. Really peppery on the long finish. Real finesse. (JH)