Obliix Syrah Malbec Viognier 2023

Obliix Syrah Malbec Viognier is a distinctive Hawke's Bay red blend with ripe dark fruit, peppery spice and a fragrant floral lift. Syrah drives the wine with blackberry, raspberry and plum, while Malbec adds structure through the front palate and a small amount of Viognier softens the finish. Polished tannins and fresh acidity keep its richness composed, with smoke, baking spice and chocolate adding savoury depth. Approachable now but capable of developing further, it is a versatile match for roast duck, grilled lamb, beef dishes or charred mushrooms.

What the winery says:

The blend is 92% Syrah, 6% Malbec and 2% Viognier, with 74% of the fruit sourced from the Cornerstone Vineyard on Gimblett Road in Hawke's Bay. The vines grow in free-draining Omahu soils deposited by the historic flooding of the Ngaruroro River. Fruit was both hand picked and machine harvested, then fermented in stainless steel tanks and seasoned oak barriques. The wine shows lifted aromatics and smooth tannins, with ripe blackberry and spice from the Syrah, additional structure from the Malbec, and floral perfume and softness from the Viognier. It contains 13% alcohol, was bottled in August 2024 and is suitable for a plant-based diet.

What the experts say:

Cameron Douglas MS, 94/100, Excellent (2023 Vintage)
"Aromas of power and precision, scents of blackcurrant then dark raspberry and a touch of plum."