Bilancia La Collina Syrah 2021

Cellar for up to 20 years. Decant for an hour or more before serving. Bilancia is a small winery on New Zealand’s wild eastern coast, run by husband and wife duo Warren Gibson and Lorraine Leheny. The name is Italian, meaning “balance” or “harmony” - a reference to Libra, the star sign that Warren and Lorraine share, and the incredible poise and balanced character of their wines. The winery was founded in 1997 when the couple purchased a 6-hectare plot of land on Roys Hill, a scenic location in Hawke’s Bay. The vineyard has come to be known as “La Collina”, or “The Hill”, and the fruits for this blend were sourced almost exclusively from its northwest-facing slopes. This is a Syrah-based wine, featuring a small splash of rich Viognier plucked from the bottom of Roys Hill. This is a powerful wine, exhibiting full notes of black cherry, raisin, plum, pepper and flowers on the nose. It appears an inky dark purple in the glass, reflecting the intensity of flavour. Notes of blackcurrant jam, plum, black pepper and earthiness meet a complex range of spices, gained from 18 months of ageing in Burgundy oak. Mature tannins and crisp acidity form an excellent structure. Consider pairing La Collina with roasted meats, grilled peppers, or a hearty casserole.