Bilancia La Collina Syrah 2021

New release 2021

Bilancia is a Hawkes Bay winery owned and run by winemakers Lorraine Leheny and Warren Gibson; two of the nicest people in the New Zealand wine scene. Warren spent some time working in Southern Italy and it was here, reading the paper in the sun that he stumbled across his and Loraine’s horoscope, the Libra, or as it is known in Italian, Bilancia. A fitting name, it is synonymous with equilibrium and harmony and this has become the working philosophy behind their wines.

From Warren and Lorraine, we have in our hands in limited quantities the La Collina 2021 with great elegance and harmony to burn.

2021 was a stunning vintage in Hawke's Bay for Syrah and is it shows here, this will only get better with time in the cellar!

A small vineyard with a beautiful name, Bilancia is a winery that is punching well above its weight.

Intense, firmly structured, fine-grained Syrah with cassis, grape stems, spice/anise/cedar, tobacco and dark chocolate. Youthful wine with obvious cellaring potential.

98/100 Parker's Wine Advocate, Erin Larkin

"The 2021 La Collina Syrah is floral on the nose, with lavender, rose petals, pomegranate pearls, fresh blood, graphite, black tea and umami/bone broth inflections. In the mouth, the wine is light as a feather, elongated and ethereal, spiced and fine. It flutters over a long, lingering finish that is layered with star anise and clove—layers that settle upon one another, fine as sheets of tissue paper. Be still, heart. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Due to challenging vintage conditions in 2022 and the disastrous flood in 2023, there was no La Collina made in either vintage..The La Collina Syrah is without a doubt, New Zealand's greatest Syrah, and it is a gift to the wine world. If it is new to you, make it not so. It ages with grace and ease and will only repay careful cellaring with years of joy in the future. Go slow and gentle. Drink 2023-2041"

An outstanding Syrah. BOB CAMPBELL. www.realreview.com