Gimblett Gravels – Annual Vintage Selection 2022
The 2022 Gimblett Gravels Annual Vintage Selection has made its grand entrance. This fine selection features seven blended reds and five stand-out Syrahs, a collection handpicked by Andrew Caillard MW to showcase the very best of the vintage.
Gimblett Gravels is a unique wine-growing region in Hawke’s Bay, renowned for its distinctive terroir. The area is characterised by its stony, free-draining soils formed by the Ngaruroro River over centuries. Gimblett Gravels has become synonymous with producing premium red wines, particularly Bordeaux-style blends and Syrah, benefiting from the heat retention of the stones and the temperate climate. This combination creates ideal growing conditions, allowing winemakers to craft wines with exceptional character.
The 2022 vintage was a memorable one, with a warm, dry winter leading to a smooth spring without frost, setting the stage for the earliest veraison in three decades. Summer brought adequate rainfall and a record number of days above 30 degrees, further accelerating the ripening. February rains turned the tables on the subregion, bringing humid and challenging conditions, with a final late-season downpour posing an additional threat to the harvest.
However, thanks to the solid groundwork laid through the growing season’s meticulous viticultural practices, the vintage still held the promise of top-quality wines. In this vintage, experience was the defining factor.
Each wine tells the story of a vintage that, while challenging, delivered exceptional quality. From the care and expertise in the vineyard to the precision and artistry in the winery, this crafted collection of 12 delicious wines is a celebration of the region’s talented folk and their unique lands. Now, let’s dive into the tasting notes and explore the unique wines encapsulating this vintage in time…
Trinity Hill – The Gimblett 2022 5 Stars / 94 pts
80% Cabernet Franc, 20% Tempranillo. 14.2% alc. RRP $40
Red and black cherry, layered with spice, cassis, red pepper, dried thyme, and oregano, create a broad and complex nose. The palate is dense, led by plum, and black cherry, underscored by fresh cedar and sweet spice. The balance of ample fruit and fresh acidity is perfectly framed by fine tannins, with subtle sous bois and chocolate notes carrying through to a long, polished finish — a beautifully constructed wine. Drink now – 2034.
Stonecroft – Serine Syrah 2022 4 Stars / 88pts
100% Syrah, 12.5% alc. RRP $33.
Savoury and intricate, red fruits lead to earthy notes, fresh herbs, violet, and dried meats, with soft, jammy raspberry adding richness to the moderate palate, underpinned by spice and crunchy red fruits. The meaty, smoky palate showcases dried red fruits, mushroom, and delicate peppery spice, with firm tannins and a dry finish. Bold and masculine, yet refined with a savoury sophistication. Drink now – 2028.
Stonecroft – Reserve Syrah 2022
4.5 Stars / 92 pts 100% Syrah, 13% alc. RRP $60.
Deep purple in the glass, this wine exudes rustic charm with aromas of smoked beef, bramble berries, and autumn leaves layered over spicy oak toast. The palate reveals deep plum and peppery complexity with a refreshing bright acidity. Fine, elegant tannins dust the tongue, while a crunchy pomegranate note adds lift. The finish is long and savoury, marked by a subtle, earthy grace. Rustic, old-world charm and effortlessly drinkable. Drink now – 2028.
Smith & Seth – Cru Heretaunga Syrah 2022
5 Stars / 94pts 100% Syrah, 12% alc. RRP $40
Juicy ripe red & blackberry fruit melds with savoury pancetta, cured ham, and dried thyme, underpinned by subtle cedar and toast. Medium-bodied, the pa late is light and fresh, with crunchy red fruit and a precise mineral line reminiscent of wet stone. Fine, dusty tannins, fruit-forward yet refined, with layers of complexity and minerality that linger on the close. Elegant, complex, and beautifully balanced. Drink now – 2030+.
Craggy Range – Le Sol Syrah 2022
5+ Stars / 95 pts 100% Syrah, 13% alc. RRP $180
Perfumed and elegant, this wine feels ethereal. Delicate violet aromas float over blackberry and red cherry, with earthy notes, wet stone, and hints of toasted vanilla, cinnamon, fresh bread, and dried meats. The palate is polished yet broad, with a beautifully balanced structure, fine chalky tannins, and a mineral-rich layer. Floral notes lift off the palate, revealing an evolving halo of flavours. Sophisticated and refined, this wine is endlessly rewarding. Drinking best 2025 – 2040+.
Church Road – Tom Syrah
2022 5+ Stars / 96 pts 94% Syrah, 6% Malbec, 13.1% alc. RRP $220
Violets and red cherries, brooding earthy aromas, layer into vanilla and anise. The palate reveals a powerful, polished core of plummy black and red fruits leading to spicy, toasty oak, complemented by mushroom, liquorice, and earthy tones. Rich, concentrated, delicious layers of dark chocolate, dried herbs, and minerality sit over velvety tannins. This wine just keeps giving. Opulent, elegant, and beautifully textured, its an outstanding wine. Drinking best 2025 – 2040+.
Mills Reef – Reserve Merlot 2022
4.5 Stars / 91pts 98.69% Merlot, 0.68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 0.62% Cabernet Franc, 0.01% Malbec 13.5% alc. RRP $27
Polished and vibrant, with bright red and black fruit on the nose, plum, redcurrant, raspberry, with clove, soft vanilla and barrel spice wisps. Medium-bodied on the palate, it delivers light, fresh, and crunchy red and bramble fruit with a balanced mid-length finish and gentle acidity. Balanced, fruit-forward with subtle spice complexity. Drink now – 2030.
Mission – Reserve Merlot 2022
5 Stars / 93pts 100% Merlot, 13.3% alc. RRP $30
Dense, dark, bramble fruit dominates, with plum, black cherry, stewed raspberry, subtle black pepper, before toasty oak and chocolatey notes. The palate is layered, with red and black fruits over liquorice, spice and grippy tannins. Well-structured with impressive complexity at this price point! Drink now – 2030.
Villa Maria – Cellar Selection Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
4.5 Stars / 90 pts 82% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon RRP $19
Bright and inviting, a lifted nose of ripe red fruit, blackcurrant jam, ripe raspberry, and plum, all lightly seasoned with vanilla and baking spices. The rich palate follows with ripe black fruit and light tannin texture before a polished, smooth finish, where dark berry fruits linger. Delicious value.Drink now—2032.
Esk Valley – Artisanal Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot 2022
4.5 Stars / 92 pts 39% Malbec, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot. RRP $25
Ripe cherry and dark plum combine with earthy tones and violet florals. The palate delivers vibrant, concentrated fruit, both generous and fresh, with a subtle herbal edge. Light, dusty tannins provide structure, leading to a lingering finish of clove, toasted oak, and black fruit. Bold, fruity and balanced with layers of complexity that will continue to evolve.Drink now – 2035.
Squawking Magpie – The Nest 2022
5 Stars / 93 pts 92% Malbec, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Malbec. 13.6%abv. RRP $60
Expressive aromas of deep plum and ripe red cherry are lifted with wet stone freshness, accented with layers of clove and vanilla from the barrel. Smoky and brambly, the palate is dense and concentrated, showcasing polished, ripe red and black fruits dominated by blackberry, plum and black cherry. Rich and delicious, featuring a smooth textured tannin structure, integration and complexity. Well-balanced, it lingers with a perfumed finish. A fine, complex wine capable of cellaring for another 15+ years. Drinking best 2025 – 2040.
Church Road 1 Malbec 2022
5+ Stars / 95 pts 99% Malbec, 1% Syrah. 13.4% alc. RRP $120
Vibrant purple in hue, dense and concentrated blueberry, blackcurrant, and blackberry scents, enriched by cloves and fresh cedar. Hints of dark chocolate and grilled steak are seasoned with anise, rich and layered. The palate is long and balanced, showcasing meaty, earthy, dried tobacco elements alongside vibrant red currant acidity. Fine, ripe and silken tannins hold the wine together. Smoky undertones weave throughout, offering endless details in this layered, polished and powerful package. Long and complex finish, seamless integration of dense fruit and palate with emerging complexity that will continue to build over time. —an exceptional wine. Drinking best 2026 – 2040.
Andrew Caillard MW’s selection captures the essence of the vintage, offering a diverse array of wines that encompass both the bold and complex and the refined and elegant. This collection truly flaunts the vintage’s quality, providing both wines of immediate enjoyment and long-term cellaring potential. It tells a story of mastery and patience, crafted to impress today and destined to shine for years to come…if you can resist!
