This 2008 Hawkes Bay Syrah has a light, slightly herbaceous nose, good definition with raspberry and sloe, though it lacks some complexity. The palate shows a little hardness at the moment: very linear and stoic. I would like to have seen more weight on the finish though I am convinced this will improve with another 12 months in bottle. Drink 2011-2015. Tony Bish continues to produce some outstanding examples of Hawkes Bay wine and their Helmsman stood shoulder to shoulder with an array of top Bordeaux 2005s at a blind tasting in 2009. Their entry-level Gunn Estate wine form a superb introduction to the delights of the region’s wines, in particular their Skeetfield Chardonnay.Importer: Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines, Napa, CA; www.diageo.com