F.A.W.C! Syrah at 20 years of Age…Should Be Harmony…

Geoff Kelly's Library Tastings have become well-known in other parts of the country over the last 20 years and will once again be bringing his passion and expertise to Summer F.A.W.C!. Over the years it has been apparent that Syrah is a red variety well-suited to New Zealand. The key reason is that when carefully ripened, it retains both its floral's and spice.

Geoff has been studying wine for more than 50 years, and having been a senior industry judge for 35 years means he has plenty of knowledge to share.

These qualities make our Syrah both rare on the world scale, and exceptionally food-friendly (being just a little bigger than Pinot Noir). This tasting of 1999 vintage wines will illustrate the main Syrah styles from its homeland in France, together with three of Australia’s subtlest Shiraz wines, and one exceptional New Zealand wine. Vintage conditions in each location were attractive – more fragrant wines than the warmer-year 1998.

There will be twelve wines, presented blind, with 30 ml pours.
Glasses will be Schott-Zwiesel XL5s.
The exact wine-list cannot be guaranteed due to unpredictable variables such as TCA. There are reserve wines, so you will receive twelve wines – but maybe not a hoped-for one.

The wines will be:

France
1999 Domaine du Colombier Hermitage
1999 Delas Cote Rotie Seigneur de Maugiron
1999 Delas Hermitage Marquise de Tourettes
1999 Delas Hermitage Les Bessards
1999 Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage La Guiraude
1999 Guigal Cote Rotie Ch d’Ampuis
1999 Guigal Hermitage
1999 Jamet Cote Rotie

Australia
1999 Henschke Shiraz Mount Edelstone, Eden Valley, South Australia
1999 Mount Langi Ghiran Shiraz Langi, Grampians, Victoria
1999 Torbreck Shiraz Runrig, Barossa Valley, South Australia

New Zealand
1999 Mission Syrah Jewelstone, Gimblett Gravels, Hawke's Bay

Brimming with exquisite fresh produce and world-class food and wine, it’s clear to see why Hawke’s Bay is hailed as an epicurean’s dream destination. It’s a tough job knowing where to start, so that’s why we created F.A.W.C! Food and Wine Classic – your one-stop culinary festival that brings together the best on offer from across the region. With 70+ events set in stunning locations over 10 glorious days, Summer F.A.W.C! is proving life doesn’t get better than this.

Make the most of your F.A.W.C! experience by getting someone else to take care of the driving. Find out your options on the Transport page of the F.A.W.C! website.