Frenchmans Hill Expatrius Syrah

“Bold, expressive, a core of fruit, toasty and smoky bouquet, complex and distinctive. Equally impressive on the palate with flavours of dark raspberry and powdered black pepper, spiced meats and berries. Plenty of tannin and acidity along with wood form a great foundation for the core of fruit. Well made, youthful and primary still with great length." Cameron Douglas

• Winery: Frenchman’s Hill
  
• Varietal: Syrah
  
• Region: Waiheke Island, New Zealand
  
• Vintage: 2013
  
• Alcohol: 14.4%
  
• Volume: 750ml
  
• Closure: Cork
• Food match: Lamb roast, beef, game meat, pork & pepperoni; tuna & salmon; pizza; BBQ & heavy red sauces; bleu-veined cheeses

“Grown on an ‘elevated coastal headland’, the 2013 vintage was matured in new French oak barrels for 15 months. Deep and bright in colour, it is sturdy (14 per cent alcohol), youthful and very finely textured, with generous, ripe, plummy, gently spicy flavours, fine-grained tannins and obvious potential. Showing great harmony, it’s already delicious, but should be at its best 2018 onwards.” Michael Cooper

“100% coastal single site Waiheke Island. Said to be the place from whence depart the spirits into “the great darkness”. A sacred place where these vines have often struggled to survive. Magnificent complexity and finesse. Dedicated to my sisters Christina and Isabella. Tribute to the love of ones homeland and to those who travelled away from homeland carrying the vines with them. Wine grown on unique site with limited volumes.” Winemaker’s Notes

Frenchman’s Hill  is owned by Luc and Anna Desbonnets and is situated on the sheltered northern slopes, above the Putiki Estuary, on the western head of Onetangi Valley.  The property has 12 acres of north facing slope vineyard, olive groves and wetlands.

After 25 years working globally in viticulture and winemaking, Kiwi/Frenchman Luc Desbonnets with his wife Anna returned to New Zealand and relocated to Waiheke Island in 2000 to produce their own wines under the Frenchman’s Hill Label and Frenchman’s Hill olive oil.   Anna, an interior designer also designs her own handicrafts and art works, which are shown in various areas of the 12 acre property.

In 2005 Luc acquired “the perfect red wine site…” now known as Frenchmans Hill Estate. In 2006 he planted his vineyard upon it’s steep northern, sheltered slopes, “The 8 Vineyard”, a careful selection of 8 red grape varieties with his vision of two wines, a Syrah and a unique blended red.

The 8 Vineyard at Frenchmans Hill Estate was named primarily after the eight varieties planted upon it. The figure 8 is also a continuum representing the continuous annual cycle of the vines…each full figure eight results in a fantastic vintage wine!! The vineyard is set up with the number 8 as its guide i.e. 8 vines between each post, 8 rows under each net, 8 vats made from each vintage…..a little superstition from our winemaker whose key focus is TERROIR = vines + soil + climate + man.

The 8 vine varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Tannat, Viognier and Kolor.

Frenchman’s Hill are ultra premium style wines particularly where the correct grape varietal/clone selections are matched to favourable sites.  Each of the varietals has been carefully planned and thought out

• 95/100 Points - Cameron Douglas MS
  
• 5 Stars - Michael Cooper