This month’s pick of the bunch

1 2016 MILLS REEF ESTATE HAWKE’S BAY SYRAH, $18 Great value, this is an excellent entry-level introduction to the peppery, berry-rich character of syrah, while offering soft tannins and an easy mouth-feel. Just add a rack of lamb to be replete with winter warmth. 2 2016 TE WHARE RA MARLBOROUGH ‘5182’ SYRAH, $50 There’s just 11ha of syrah in Marlborough and you’ll definitely wonder why they’re not growing more after tasting this intensely aromatic, joyful, skilfully made biodynamic example. One to savour. 3 2014 DOMAINE GUIGAL CÔTES DU RHÔNE, $17 A classic southern Rhône blend of 50 per cent syrah with the balance grenache and mourvèdre. Earthy, spicy, rich in berries and black olives – whip up a cassoulet for a très bon match. 4 2016 ALPHA DOMUS ‘THE BARNSTORMER’ HAWKE’S BAY SYRAH, $30 This is one of my favourite syrahs. Lovely concentrated blueberry, red plum and blackberry fruit woven with pepper, violets and a touch of earth. Juicy, fresh and vibrant, it’s both drinkable – and thinkable! 5 2014 BILANCIA ‘LA COLLINA’ HAWKE’S BAY SYRAH, $100 A wine that has helped put NZ syrah on the international critics’ radars, this is a complex, layered, utterly enticing wine. Best tucked away for a few years, to let it unfurl with grace and beauty.