Mills Reef Reserve Syrah

2021, Hawkes Bay New Zealand

Reserve label using fruit from the Gimblett Gravels in Hawke's Bay
From an excellent 2021 Hawke's Bay vintage
93/100 (Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review) - "Concentrated red with plum, dark berry, black pepper, anise and assertive spicy oak flavours"
Silky, smooth, medium bodied red, dark berry and cherry fruits with a touch of spice
Perfect with a cut of good old Kiwi lamb

Charles Mills – sea captain, gold miner and former Member of Parliament and Minister of Trade & Custom 1890-1908. He’s a bit of a legend in the family tree of the name behind this iconic Hawke’s Bay producer, so you can see why they ended up naming their wines after him. As for the reef bit, nothing to do with anything he smoked but everything to do with how he spent his days – watching for reefs at sea and mining for reefs of gold.

Although their vineyards are mostly based in Hawke’s Bay their vineyard is actually just out out of Tauranga – and it’s flash as! Twenty aces of landscaped grounds, wine making and bottling facilities, an underground cellar, 150-seat restuarant and conference centre – and quite the spot to get hitched at!

Their 2021 Reserve Syrah is produced with top notch Gimblett Gravels fruit and with 12 months spent in French and American oak this sure is a step up in quality from their Estate Syrah. Silky, smooth, medium bodied red, dark berry and cherry fruits with a touch of spice. Perfect with a cut of good old Kiwi lamb or game meats.