Kuikui Syrah Vertical
Red Pack NV 2.3l

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Named in dedication to Margaret Dunleavy, the green-fingered mother of eleven, Kuikui means ‘the matriarch’ in Maori. As her children planted vines in the Onetangi Valley, she placed and nurtured the rose bushes at the end of each row.

Kuikui represents the best expression of Syrah our estate will produce. 

Hand-harvested from low-yielding vines, with an obsessive level of fruit sorting.  This Syrah was fermented in barrel, before enjoying extended élevage and maturing for 24 months in premium French oak before resting in bottle.

This wine can be enjoyed in its youth, but has the pedigree to improve for years to come. Only 600 bottles produced of each release. 

Kuikui 2009

Last tasted in 2016 when I suggested this wine might be at its peak. I was clearly wrong. It is certainly showing forest floor, Bovril bottle age characters but it is delicious (if you like bottle-aged red wine). Cedar, old books, old leather and Christmas cake flavours. A real treat.

96 Points / 5 stars –  Bob Campbell MW 26 JAN 2023

Kuikui 2015

Supremely elegant wine with cedar, dark berry, tobacco leaf, black pepper, old leather, ‘forest floor’ and dried herb flavours. Showing the benefit of bottle age but with plenty of potential to become even more interesting with further careful cellaring. 96 Points / 5 stars –  Bob Campbell MW 08 DEC 2021

Kuikui 2019

”A fresh and spicy red with blueberry, orange-peel and blackcurrant character. Medium body, fine tannins and a fresh finish with energy and focus. Pure Syrah, in a sophisticated and fine way.”

95 Points / 5 stars –  James Suckling