Description
Te Awanga Trademark Syrah 2020
Rod McDonald’s Trademark Syrah is the flagship release from Te Awanga Estate, designed to showcase the absolute pinnacle of Hawke's Bay Syrah.
The 2020 vintage benefited from a spectacularly warm, dry, and settled growing season in the region. This allowed for low yields with exceptional color, flavor intensity, and the signature savory spice that cool-climate New Zealand Syrah is famous for.
Tasting Notes
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Aromas: Dark and brooding, leading with intense perfumes of Black Doris plum, fresh blackberry, and violets. This dark fruit is interwoven with savory complexities: cracked white pepper, black tea, Christmas baking spices, and subtle sweet French oak.
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Palate: Full-bodied, vibrant, and incredibly plush. It delivers a velvety core of brambleberry, dark cherry, and liquorice. A small portion of whole-bunch fermentation adds a beautiful floral lift and structural grip.
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Structure & Finish: The wine is framed by ripe, chalky tannins and an elegant, enlivening acid backbone. It finishes long and minerally, leaving a lingering trail of spice and dark fruit.
Accolades & Pedigree
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94 Points — James Suckling: "A juicy red with plenty of brambleberry and plum character as well as white pepper. Medium to full body. Round tannins and a soft and attractive finish. Drink now or hold." (Tasted March 2023)
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Cellaring Potential: While the 2020 is supple enough to be highly approachable now, its intense concentration and precise acidity give it excellent aging potential. It will continue to evolve gracefully in the cellar for 10+ years.
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Winemaker Recognition: Rod McDonald’s long-standing dedication to Hawke's Bay Syrah—and specifically the success of the Trademark line—earned him a coveted spot on The Drinks Business "Master Winemaker 100" list alongside globally renowned producers.
Winemaking Insights
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Vineyard Sourcing: The fruit is sourced from three premium sites planted on limestone hillsides and an ancient riverbed inland from Hastings.
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Clonal Blend: It utilizes a mix of MS, 470, and the famous Limmer clone—the heritage clone largely credited with giving Hawke's Bay Syrah its distinct, savory, Côte-Rôtie-like character.
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Fermentation & Aging: The grapes were mostly destemmed into open-top tanks with a small portion left as whole bunches. After primary fermentation, it was held on skins for up to 25 days to extract maximum structure and color, then aged in French oak barriques.
