Decanter, August 2023, NZ reds beyond Pinot Noir Panel Tasting, 95 points, Outstanding: A legend of New Zealand wine, with 40 years of consulting, educating and winemaking for others, Kate Radburnd founded her winery in 2017. Focusing on ‘the best, not the most’, she makes three small-batch wines each year. This inaugural vintage of Syrah is sourced from Bridge Pa Triangle and Dartmoor Valley, with some whole bunches used in the ferment, before ageing for 18 months in new and seasoned barriques. CM: “Brooding blackberry and black cherry. Very intense on the palate, with ripe fig and plum, and hints of smoke, pepper and tapenade. A really complex wine with a long finish.” FB: “A generous nose, albeit fine and not overly concentrated. Milk chocolate and bramble fruit flavours come together nicely. Has a lot to offer.” RJ: “Juicy and fruit-forward nose with light red fruit at the fore. The palate oozes with charm – everything from plums and dark berries to juicy ripe figs dipped in milk chocolate. Watch this one as it evolves.”