Region: Hawke's Bay, NZ
Vineayrd Appellation: Gimblett Gravels
Vineyards: 70% Gimblett Estate/19% Tin Shed/11% Gimblett Stones
Homage 2018
Our inspiration for Syrah an this wine, comes from the wines of the Northern Rhone region of France, particularly Hermitage and Cote Rotie.
We will only release Homage if we think it is up to our high standards. From the first release until the current vintage, we have released wines from only the 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 vintages.
$150.00
Vineyards
Varietal Mix
Varieties: 99.6% Syrah/0.4% Viognier
Clones: 55% Mass Selection/18% Baileys/16% Clone 174
6% Clone 470/5% Other (including 0.4% Clone 642 Viognier)
Harvest Detail
Hand harvested 14 April 2019
Bottling Detail
Alc/Vol: 13.0%
TA: 6.0 g/L
pH: 3.73
RS: 0.34 g/L
Bottled September 2019
Winemaking & Viticulture
2018 was a very warm early season in Hawke’s Bay with a very warm, humid, late summer and autumn. Special canopy management of the vines, along with impeccable viticulture during the growing season, ensured fruit quality of the highest order. Pruning and shoot/bunch thinning at appropriate times yielded a crop level of around 5 to 6 tonnes per hectare (approximately 30 to 35hectolitres per hectare).
Syrah grapes were hand-harvested from several individual sites and blocks,
de-stemmed and fermented separately. Each parcel was hand-plunged or pumped over once daily during fermentation to aid optimum colour and tannin extraction. One parcel was fermented with 100% whole bunches and Viognier skins to enhance aromatics and structure. Total time on skins (including post-fermentation maceration) ranged from 16 to 35 days, which helped improve the texture of the tannins while softening and stabilising the individual wines.
All parcels were predominantly aged in 228-litre French oak barriques for 12 to 15 months, of which 32% were new. One parcel was aged for eight months in a 5,400-litre French oak oval followed by a further six months in barriques. While in barrel, none of the wines were racked, only stirred when required. The individual wines were blended, and the final blend bottled, in July and September 2019, respectively.
The Wine
The 2018 Homage displays the purity, sophistication and refinement that are the hallmarks of the marque.
A captivating perfume – fresh raspberries/blackberries, sweet spices, black liquorice, crushed minerals, cedar – leads to an exquisite, intricately detailed palate with superb definition and depth of flavour. Ultra-fine tannins and vibrant acidity provide a refined texture and an exceptionally long finish.
A wine of beauty, poise and finesse that will blossom and reveal more complexity with time. Drink from 2022 to 2037. Decant before serving.
EARLY REVIEWS - HOMAGE 2018 SCREWCAP
06 Oct 2020
HOMAGE 2018 PRE-RELEASE REVIEWS
19/20 ‘Homage – the best yet from Trinity Hill’
‘The release of Homage is a big deal in New Zealand each year, this time round even more so. It’s the first time Homage has been sealed with a screwcap and I personally feel the wine tastes significantly fresher for it, even at this early stage in its life.’
Is this the best Homage yet from Trinity Hill?
I think so, hands down. Love its ripe style and clean fresh vivacious personality which says: drink me now but if you can hold out, cellar me for a decade or more.”
18/20 POINTS Richard Hemming/Jancis Robinson
‘Tasted blind. Lovely combination of meat, violet and stemmy complexity on the nose. Gets the fruit power of Syrah just right too: brambles and plums. Charred meat on the finish. Fine, chalky tannin. A great example, where canny winemaking has added extra complexity without compromising the integrity of the fruit. A classic. (RH) Drink 2021 – 2033 18/20’
Richard Hemming for Jancis Robinson MW February 2020
97/100 Cameron Douglas Wine Reviews June 2020
‘As the wine opens up in glass it organically becomes more complex, but remains youthful and engaging. On the palate - complex and as equally primary as the nose suggests, dark fruits, raspberry and black currant, sweet meats and field mushroom, bracken and dark spices. An abundance of tannin and acidity - firm, chalky, ripe and resolved. Long finish, complex and young. No need to open till 2022 at the earliest, decant for service, will last in your cellar till 2030 - at least.
So pleased to finally see this wine under screw top closure.’ June 2020
97/100
5 Stars, Gold Ribbon. 1st Syrah out of 43 Bob Campbell
Dense yet elegant Syrah with floral, violet, dark berry, black pepper, anise and spicy oak. A wine that delivers its power with great subtlety. Surprisingly accessible but with obvious cellaring potential. This is a very serious red indeed....
23 June 2020
STOP PRESS
17/07/2020
2018 Gimblett Gravels Annual Vintage Selection
Andrew Caillard, MW
98 points
Medium deep crimson. Beautiful pure raspberry strawberry red cherry aromas with espresso/ sage/ white pepper notes. Inky textured wine with dense concentrated raspberry pastille, strawberry fruits, fine silky tannins and roasted chestnut espresso oak. Finishes chalky al dente firm with lovely mineral length and feathery tannin plume.
98 points James Suckling
02 Feb 2021