Head to Head 2007 Craggy Range Block 14 Syrah vs 2007 Church Rd Reserve Syrah

It had to be done.  Steve Smith MW from Craggy Range suggested we pair these two, so we did. Two of the stunning Syrah’s to surface from the 2007 vintage have one thing in common and that is the ability to grab a bottle for under $30.  Tasting these separately in the past they have both reached “No Brainer Wine Buy” status which is a KWFC, a cue to the world to pillage stores for as many bottles as one can afford.

We served this wine blind to five enthusiasts including the now famous “Stig”.  Unlike the Top Gear look alike, our Stig will remain a secret.  No doubt he too will soon command large Facebook followings.

But in all seriousness both of these wines are just brilliant. It is interesting to see both these examples weighing in at 13.5% alcohol.  The benefit of this is better definition on the palate and aromatics which make both these wines infinitely superior to for example the 2002 Vidal Soler Syrah we drank the other night which weighed in at 14.8%  The 2002 Syrahs were definitely watershed wines, but perhaps now, in context, would be considered a bit over done and clumsy.  On to brief impressions:

The 2007 Craggy Range Block 14 Syrah sat idling in the glass before us Deep, opaque, youthful inky purple in the glass.  Slightly less propped up by oak than the Church Road, the fruit is gorgeously ripe. There is beautiful definition and delineation on the palate.  It is fresh, dark and layered displaying dark plum and blackberry fruit.  The tannins are chalky and restrained and it all gives a classy, complete and understated feel. It is an exciting wine at the pinnacle of evolution in terms of Hawkes Bay Syrah. 98/109

The 2007 Church Road Reserve Syrah offers a wine that is slightly richer and marginally more flamboyant.  The oak influence offers itself up in the guise of rich aromatics. We are talking old leather furniture, antique shop along with the more floral aromas.  The palate seems more concentrated and powerful unwrapping itself on the palate, cascading into a long persistent finish.  There are layers of flavour here to which are gentle and intriguing. 99/109

Votes were taken before the revealing of the labels.  The winner in the groups eyes turned out to be 2007 Church Road Reserve Syrah by a margin of 4-1.  This stunning wine no doubt can compete next to the luxury bottlings of any NZ Syrah producer. Both these wines are worthy of fine red wine buyers attention.

Also see our Previous Tasting Notes for these wines:

2007 Craggy Range Block 14 Syrah
2007 Church Road Reserve Syrah