Aged for 18-months in French barriques, the 2007 Deerstalkers Syrah has a dense, introverted nose: blackcurrants, sloes, a touch of dark chocolate and underbrush, with just a hint of dried honey and wild heather. The palate is full-bodied with good fruit extraction, showing a little more backbone than before but it still needs to integrate together. Good acidity with touches of white pepper on the dense, oaky finish, the Deerstalker will reward further cellaring. Drink 2012-2018. 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

Broad and full, with ripe, blue and black fruit and a flecks of cracked black pepper. Plum crumble flavours, with touches of iodine. Classy, refreshing and very well made. 14% abv