Hawke's Bay (New Zealand Syrah)

Hawke's Bay Syrah is New Zealand's cool-climate answer to the northern Rhone: a medium-bodied, savoury red grown on the warm gravel terraces of the North Island's east coast, all cracked black pepper, violet and red-to-black berry fruit over fresh acidity and fine, refined tannin. Where Australian Shiraz is ripe and full-throttle, this is the elegant, aromatic, peppery pole of the grape — closer to Crozes-Hermitage than to the Barossa.