O:Tu Limited Release Syrah

OTU (pronounced o-two) is Otuwhero Estate and it’s named after the mighty Otuwhero River that runs through the lower valleys of Marlborough. This ancient river provides Otu with vineyards full of rich alluvial gravels and clay soils and along with its remote and rugged coastal setting it’s perfect for producing wines full of intense, ripe flavours! Then throw in a two time International Winemaker of the Year winner and you’re on to a good thing!

Jeff Clarke is the man and he started his winemaking career at Penfolds in Australia before spending 17 years at Montana wines down the road in Marlborough. He’s also spent time with Church Road in Hawke’s Bay, while respected UK wine journo and Master of Wine Tim Atkin named Jeff as one his top six winemakers globally!

This is their extremely classy Limited Release series and, not surprisingly, these are wines only released in good vintages in limited quantities when Jeff identifies top quality fruit worthy of the label.

This 2020 release Hawke’s Bay Syrah is a class act. Using fruit from a low yielding, single vineyard under organic treatment and aged 12 months in oak. Winning a Gold medal at the NZ International Wine Show, 5 Stars with local critic Sam Kim and 93/100 with Master of Wine Bob Campbell.

Bob said “Dense, vibrant syrah with cacao powder, cassis/blackberry, liquorice, red-fleshed plum, black pepper and spicy oak flavours with a suggestion of vanilla bean. Good cellaring potential. Firmly structured wine with a lingering finish.”

Drink now to 2032.