Craggy Range Le Sol Syrah 2020

Region and Vineyards

The Gimblett Gravels vineyard in Hawke’s Bay is a renowned area for producing world-class Syrah, benefiting from its unique stony soils and warm climate. The vineyard lies on the ancient riverbed of the Ngaruroro River, where the gravelly soils retain heat and allow for excellent drainage, creating ideal conditions for ripening Syrah. These soils, combined with the warm, dry conditions experienced from Christmas onwards in the 2020 vintage, resulted in exceptional fruit quality for this vintage.

The Gimblett Gravels terroir imparts both richness and minerality to the wine, enhancing its structure and depth, while allowing the ripe, concentrated fruit flavors to shine through.

Winemaking

The Le Sol 2020 was made using 56% whole bunch fermentation and 44% destemmed fruit, with the fermentation carried out in French and Austrian barriques and puncheons. Indigenous yeasts were used to maintain the purity of the vineyard’s expression, with the wine maturing for 17 months in French oak barriques, of which 38% were new oak. This careful oak integration enhances the wine's complexity and structure without overshadowing the fruit.

The wine underwent no fining, with only a coarse filtration applied before bottling in December 2021. With a production level of 34 hl/ha, this Syrah is a true representation of precision winemaking, crafted to last and evolve over time.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep, dark garnet with a rich burgundy hue.
• Aroma: An inviting array of ripe red and blue fruits, including boysenberry and blueberry, intertwined with savory notes of black pepper, graphite, and hints of earthiness.
• Palate: On the palate, the wine is opulent and seamless, with voluptuous fruit that fills the mouth, balanced by exceptionally fine graphite tannins. The layers of ripe fruit are met by a complex, savory undertone that gives the wine remarkable persistence.
• Finish: The finish is long and elegant, with lingering notes of dark berries, spices, and a touch of mineral complexity, leaving a memorable impression.

Did You Know?

Le Sol, which means “the soil” in French, reflects the importance of the Gimblett Gravels vineyard's terroir in shaping the character of this wine. The 2020 vintage was considered exceptional due to the warm and dry conditions from Christmas onwards, contributing to the wine's intense concentration and depth.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Grilled lamb with rosemary and thyme: The savory richness of lamb pairs beautifully with the wine’s bold fruit and peppery notes.
• Beef fillet with black peppercorn sauce: The wine’s fine tannins and dark fruit flavors complement the tender beef and spice of the sauce.
• Roasted duck breast with cherry glaze: The dark berry fruit and smooth texture of the wine enhance the richness of the duck and the sweetness of the glaze.
• Aged gouda: The wine’s structure and savory undertones are a perfect match for the intense, nutty flavors of aged gouda.

History of Craggy Range

Craggy Range was founded by Terry Peabody and his wife Mary Peabody, who had a vision to create a family-owned winery that would be passed down for generations. While seeking a location for their winery, they were drawn to the untapped potential of New Zealand’s wine regions, particularly Hawke’s Bay. Their goal was ambitious: to produce single-vineyard wines that would rival the great wine regions of the world.

Terry Peabody was introduced to the potential of New Zealand’s terroir through discussions with renowned viticulturalist Steve Smith MW, who helped identify the best sites for Craggy Range’s vineyards. Together, they carefully selected land in Gimblett Gravels in Hawke’s Bay and Te Muna Road in Martinborough. With a deep commitment to the land, the Peabody family chose to establish a 1,000-year trust, ensuring that the winery would stay within the family for generations and could never be sold.

Craggy Range immediately set itself apart by becoming the first New Zealand winery to focus solely on single-vineyard wines. Their pursuit of quality was evident from the start, with significant investments in vineyard management, winemaking technology, and sustainable practices. Under the leadership of Terry and Mary, and with the expertise of Steve Smith MW, Craggy Range quickly gained international recognition for producing wines that captured the essence of their unique terroirs.

Region and Vineyards

Craggy Range’s vineyards are located in some of New Zealand’s most prestigious wine regions, each chosen for its unique climate and soil characteristics that are perfectly suited to the varietals grown there.

Te Muna Road Vineyard – Martinborough

Located in Martinborough, the Te Muna Road Vineyard is renowned for its production of Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. This vineyard spans two distinct terraces:

• The upper terrace features ancient alvi-fulvic soils, which are ideal for growing Pinot Noir. These soils, combined with the cool, breezy climate of Martinborough, create wines of great complexity and elegance.
• The lower terrace is characterized by stony, alluvial soils, perfect for Sauvignon Blanc. These soils allow for excellent drainage, leading to crisp, mineral-driven wines that reflect the terroir.

Martinborough’s cool climate is a key factor in the vineyard’s success, providing long growing seasons that allow the grapes to develop intense flavors and aromatic complexity.

Gimblett Gravels Vineyard – Hawke’s Bay

The Gimblett Gravels vineyard is situated on an ancient riverbed in Hawke’s Bay, on the Ngaruroro River floodplain. This site is famous for its stony soils, composed of greywacke stones, which provide outstanding drainage and heat retention, encouraging the development of rich, ripe fruit with excellent structure.

The Gimblett Gravels region is particularly well-known for producing world-class Syrah and Bordeaux blends, including Craggy Range’s iconic wines like Le Sol and Sophia. The region’s warm days and cool nights create the perfect conditions for ripening Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc, resulting in wines with intense flavors, fine tannins, and long aging potential.

Kidnappers Vineyard – Hawke’s Bay

In addition to Gimblett Gravels, Craggy Range also owns the Kidnappers Vineyard, located on the coast of Hawke’s Bay. This cooler, coastal site is ideal for producing Chardonnay with bright acidity and minerality. The maritime influence helps moderate the temperature, ensuring the slow ripening of the grapes, which enhances the elegance and precision of the wines produced from this vineyard.

The combination of diverse terroirs across these regions enables Craggy Range to produce a wide range of wines, each expressing the unique characteristics of their vineyard origins.

Wine Range

Craggy Range produces two main wine collections:

• Family Collection: These are single-vineyard wines that showcase the true expression of terroir. They include:

  • Sauvignon Blanc, Te Muna Road, Martinborough
  • Chardonnay, Kidnappers Vineyard, Hawke’s Bay
  • Pinot Noir, Te Muna Road, Martinborough
  • Syrah and Merlot, Gimblett Gravels, Hawke’s Bay
  • Te Kahu, a Bordeaux-style blend, Gimblett Gravels, Hawke’s Bay

• Prestige Collection: These are limited-edition wines produced only in the best vintages, using the finest plots within their vineyards. The Prestige Collection includes:

  • Les Beaux Cailloux (Chardonnay, Gimblett Gravels)
  • Aroha (Pinot Noir, Te Muna Road)
  • Le Sol (Syrah, Gimblett Gravels)
  • Sophia (Bordeaux Blend, Gimblett Gravels)
  • The Quarry (Bordeaux Blend, Gimblett Gravels)

Sustainability and Legacy

Craggy Range is deeply committed to sustainability. In 2020, they launched a biodiversity project aimed at planting over 100 hectares of native trees within their vineyards in Martinborough. This initiative enhances vineyard biodiversity, improves land quality, and contributes to the long-term sustainability of their estate. The winery’s goal is to have a net positive impact on the environment and the local community.

Additionally, Craggy Range is advancing in organic farming techniques and integrating sustainability across all aspects of their vineyard and winemaking practices. They believe that by fostering biodiversity and promoting organic practices, they can not only improve the health of their vineyards but also enhance the quality of their wines.

Did You Know?

Craggy Range is one of the few wineries in the world that operates under a 1,000-year trust, ensuring that the winery remains in the family for future generations and can never be sold. This long-term vision underscores their commitment to excellence, sustainability, and legacy.