Esk Valley Winemakers Reserve Syrah 2013

Craig Haynes rated this wine as 94/100 with the following review:

This syrah is a sensory event in a glass. From New Zealand, this aged red reveals baking spices and forest floor notes that complement a core of stewed cherry and cassis. Visually appealing, this product of Hawke's Bay is ruby red tinged with purple hues. Full bodied, this syrah has a long finish.

L.J. Palmer WSET 3 rated this wine as 94/100 with the following review:

Wine is deep purple in colour, with a pronounced nose, almost perfumed, with definite aromas of floral, perhaps rose, sandalwood, and blackberry. Wine is quite dry, acidity is medium high, with medium tannin and a full body. There is a dry spicy and herbal taste, with plenty of plum and other fruit as well as sandalwood. Long dry finish of plum and spice.Excellent wine; a pleasure to drink.

Cherie Cole rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

The 2013 vintage in the Hawkes Bay region is touted to the be most consistent, and best vintage in the past two decades. This very special Winemakers Reserve Syrah from the single vineyard of Gimblett Gravels, was fermented in a 1930's concrete vat and aged in 35% new oak. Dark ruby in colour, full-bodied with rich tannins. The aromas and flavours consist of sweet spice, blackberry, vanilla, liquorice and hickory. The ageing potential goes beyond 2022. Just 390 cases were produced with only 26 cases arriving at the LCBO under the Vintages Classics release this coming December. Tasted September 2017.

Melanie Lloyd rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

This Syrah offers a wonderful bouquet. On the nose, It has blackberry, honey, violet, incense and just a touch of cedar.

On the palate, it has well structured tannins. There are flavours of blackberries as well as floral qualities. This is a full bodied wine with a nice acidity. Overall, a very enjoyable wine!

Tasted September 2017

Andrea Shapiro rated this wine as 93/100 with the following review:

Quite a refined and robust Syrah from Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. Vines were grown using Gimblett gravel soil and have some unique and different characteristics. Generous blackfruit aromas of, dark ripe plum, strawberry, licorice, hickory, cedar, bay leaf and a touch of rosemary herbal notes that complement a bit of black pepper. On the palate, flavours consist of cherry, eucalyptus, tart cherry, licorice, spice, hickory and lots of pepper. Full bodied with rich round tannins. Finishes long with cherry and pepper persisting. Rich, spicy and decadently delicious.

Jane Staples rated this wine as 93/100 with the following review:

This hand-harvested, low-yield Syrah has been crafted using grapes grown in Gimblett Gravels. 2013 was an extremely warm vintage and this deep ruby-coloured Syrah is very aromatic and flavourful. Ripe dark fruit, subtle spicing and oak elements develop further on the rich palate, where slight eucalyptus and peppery notes show up. Satiny smooth with a long herbal finish, a definite winner. Would make a terrific gift wine. Look for it in the Dec. 7th LCBO release.(very limited quantities, grab your early!)
Tasted September 2017 with the winemaker, Simon Fells.

Sylvain Segard rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

A dusty and inky ruby colour. Intense fruit aroma composed of red berries and ripe plums with eucalyptus and green stem notes. The fruit flavours draw more to the dark fruit side with plums and blueberries which are pleasantly complimented with liquorice and black pepper notes. Score 92. (S.Segard, reviewed Sept. 25, 2017)

Pamela Chiles rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

This will be a very limited release of 26 cases at the LCBO in December. Single-vineyard Syrah from the famous Gimblett Gravels area of Hawkes Bay. Deep, dark purple-red colour, rich blackberry, white pepper and spice nose. Succulent, with more juicy dark berry, biscuit and spice on the palate. Roast a rare prime rib and enjoy!