Firm, savory and concentrated, with dense tannins and notes of salted black licorice, sage and espresso that mingle with plum, date and dried blueberry flavors. Syrah. Drink now through 2031. 10 cases imported.??–MW??Region: New Zealand / Hawkes Bay / Hawke's Bay Select to Add

The 2016 Le Sol is perhaps the most confident, self-assured expression of Syrah to yet emerge from this benchmark producer. I say that because it no longer relies on weight, power and extraction for its impressiveness, but rather on its wonderful fragrance and elegance. Perfumed notes of violets and cracked pepper lead the way, backed by anise and black cherries. It's medium to full-bodied, with a rich, velvety mouthfeel and tremendous length, echoing with hints of clove, cinnamon and sassafras.

Not the biggest, densest or richest vintage of this wine, the 2015 Le Sol instead emphasizes fragrance and elegance. Cracked pepper and violets on the nose give way to flavors of blueberries and spice on the medium to full-bodied palate. The oak seems much less noticeable than in the past, the extraction less intense, and the wine flows more naturally across the palate and into a long, seamless finish.