HB heads the way for full-bodied reds

After three years of chardonnay domination in the successful pursuit of the Hawke’s Bay A&P Bayleys Wine Awards Champion Wine of Show title a syrah has emerged, leading Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Association chairman Michael Henley to simply remark “no surprise there”. The return to form for the red was arguably overdue. It enjoyed a remarkable six years on the trot winning run between 2005 and 2010 before a merlot stepped up, but then it was syrah again in 2012.