Le Sol (French: the soil) is born of the renowned Gimblett Gravels viticultural appellation, with its gravelly soils attracting the sun in summer and insulating the vines in winter. The vines are planted in the stoniest parts of the vineyard to a heritage clone of Syrah brought to New Zealand in the 1840s. Intensively hand managed, the grapes reveal a deep dark Syrah with purple hues. Le Sol is always aromatically pure with a luscious yet elegant mid-palate and a distinctive fine tannin finish. Very dark purple core. Abundant sweet, black fruits lead the bouquet, notably boysenberry and blueberry aromas. The tannin structure of the wine is exemplary and seamless from start to finish. The wine shows considerable drinkability in its youth, and the intensity is the highest in several years.