2021 Bilancia La Collina Hawkes Bay Syrah

98 Points Parker's Wine Advocate
In stock
Refined yet powerful, this is one of New Zealand's best Syrahs. As winemaker at Trinity Hill, Warren Gibson's credentials are stellar. This is his own beloved expression of the Syrah grape, made from their top vines on a sun-facing hillside above the Gimblett Gravels. This exceptional fruit is hand-havested in multiple passes and co-fermented with skins of Viognier from the same site (this classic combination is a tradition at Trinity Hill too) before the gentlest of treatments in the winery, including 21 months "resting" in light-impact new French oak. With elegance and harmony to burn from a great vintage for Syrah, this will keep aging or drink now.
$139.00 in mixed 6+ or $155.00 per bottle

Grape

Syrah

Its Origins

Bilancia is the boutique label of Lorraine Leheny and Warren Gibson, both winemaking graduates of Roseworthy College, South Australia. Warren is also the winemaker with the award-winning Trinity Hill Winery in Hawkes Bay, named New Zealand Winemaker of The Year in 2007. Their love of wine has seen Warren and Lorraine involved in winemaking since 1987 in Hungary, Southern Italy, Western Australia, California and France. The name Bilancia, (pronounced ‘bi-larn-cha’) reflects Warren and Lorraine’s love of Italy. Italian for balance, harmony and equilibrium, it also denotes their shared star sign of Libra. Balance is the target in their wines – a desire to have all aspects equal in structure.

What The Critics Say

98/100 Parker's Wine Advocate, Erin Larkin

"The 2021 La Collina Syrah is floral on the nose, with lavender, rose petals, pomegranate pearls, fresh blood, graphite, black tea and umami/bone broth inflections. In the mouth, the wine is light as a feather, elongated and ethereal, spiced and fine. It flutters over a long, lingering finish that is layered with star anise and clove—layers that settle upon one another, fine as sheets of tissue paper. Be still, heart. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Due to challenging vintage conditions in 2022 and the disastrous flood in 2023, there was no La Collina made in either vintage. In 20 years, there was no 2003, 2011/2012, 2022/2023. The La Collina Syrah is without a doubt, New Zealand's greatest Syrah, and it is a gift to the wine world. If it is new to you, make it not so. It ages with grace and ease and will only repay careful cellaring with years of joy in the future. Go slow and gentle. Drink 2023-2041"

97/100 James Suckling.com

"Aromas of smoked meat, brambleberry, oyster shell, and bark. Some black tea leaf too. Full-bodied and chewy with ultra-fine tannins. White pepper. Dried lavender. Silky-textured with a long finish. Drinkable but better in a year or two. Screw cap."

97/100 Cameron Douglas MS (2020 vintage)

"Due for release in November 2022 this wine is fantastic - with a bouquet of concentration and power, is very expressive with aromas of dark berries and field mushrooms, fruit and barrel spices, wood smoke and very youthful energy. Black currant and baked meats, mushroom and clove, dark fleshed raspberry, barrel spices and violets. Equally fantastic on the palate, very taut still, youthful and high energy with concentrated flavours of fruit and earth, wood and power. Tannins are ripe, polished, in abundance and layer in mouthfeel to an already impressive texture. The backbone of acidity contrasts the core fruit flavours adding length, shape and form. Delicious, new and cellar worthy. Best drinking likely from 2025 through 2040."

Variety Shiraz / Syrah
Region Hawkes Bay
Closure Cap
Volume 750ml
Maturity 2023 - 2043

This Wine Goes Well With

with GAME
with LAMB
with PORK

Taste

3

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