Mills Reef Elspeth Syrah

2020, Hawkes Bay New Zealand

Mills Reef's flagship range, only released under this label when the fruit is top notch
Gold medal (International Wine Challenge, London 2023), 94/100 (Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review), 94/100 (Cam Douglas MS)
"Ripe, rich wine from a successful vintage that promises long-living reds." (Bob Campbell MW)
From the Gimblett Gravels sub region of Hawke's Bay, aged 21 months in 33% new French oak

Mills Reef’s flagship range – Elspeth (named after the winemaker’s Grandmother, Elspeth Preston) sits right up there with Hawke’s Bay’s wine elite. If it’s Elspeth slapped on the label you know you’ve got one classy little number in your hot little hands!

Deservedly, this label has reached “Classic NZ Wine” status by NZ wine critic Michael Cooper. So what does that mean? In his own words Coops says “To qualify for selection, each label must have achieved an outstanding level of quality for at least three vintages; there are no flashes in the pan here.” Only 5 other NZ Syrah producers in NZ hold this status.

Scoring 94/100 with Master of Wine Bob Campbell who said “Fine-grained red in a “”fruit-bomb”” style with dark chocolate/mocha, cassis, violets, vanilla, and cherry/berry flavours. Ripe, rich wine from a successful vintage that promises long-living reds.”

Hand picked fruit from two of their most prized Gimblett Gravel vineyards and only released under the Elspeth label when the Mills Reef crew feel the quality is top notch. Aged for 21 months in premium French oak this is a refined, elegant Syrah that’s totally reeking of class. With a bit of age behind it it’s drinking well now, but you can comfortably chuck this in the cellar for several years yet.