Serve with slow‑braised beef brisket, grilled venison or a rich game‑meat pie, best enjoyed in a warm, rustic dining room with good company and a relaxed, unhurried pace. This Kenzie Heretaunga Syrah 2022 from Hawke’s Bay is a compelling buy for those who want a structured, aromatic red with real depth and regional character rather than generic fruit‑driven drinking.

Kenzie Heretaunga Syrah 2022 Hawke’s Bay opens with a lifted, peppery intensity drawn from the sun‑drenched slopes of the Heretaunga Plains, shaped by meticulous vineyard work and thoughtful barrel handling. This wine is an excellent choice for those who enjoy classic New Zealand syrah that balances dark berry richness with a hint of smoked meat, olive tapenade and cool‑climate freshness.

On the nose there is blackberry, dark plum and blueberry layered with a hint of cracked black pepper, cured meat and bay leaf, framed by fine‑grained tannins and a long, savoury finish. The palate is medium‑to‑full bodied yet layered, with a cool, saline edge that rewards both immediate enjoyment and short‑term cellaring.