2017 Trinity Hill Homage Syrah
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Tasting notes
2017 might not be one of Gimblett Gravels' great vintages, but there's still joy to be found. Homage, Trinity Hill's flagship Syrah, offers plenty of appeal: it is fragrant and floral with classic Syrah black pepper. There's decent concentration wrapped up in this light-bodied frame, with plentiful, gravelly tannins providing grip. Okay, it's not as dense or brooding as warmer, drier seasons, but wine would be boring without vintage variation, and this is an attractive offering.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Not as dense or powerful as some previous vintages, the 2017 Homage Syrah instead boasts soaring aromas of violets, cracked pepper, black cherries and tapenade. It's only medium-bodied yet concentrated and silky in feel, with a long, elegant finish framed by softly dusty tannins. This complex, approachable wine should drink well for a decade or more.
Superb peppery aromatic character, although it doesn't have the fruit backup of the 2018. Hard tannic edge, nicely integrated new oak spice. Expressive and fragrant with a bitter, tight tension on the finish. Long peppery length with good persistence. A little awkward in structure, and the flavours aren't as polished as in better vintages, but it is still a classic (and honest!) expression of Syrah. (RH)
Mid cherry red. Deep crimson. Intense, bright and peppery bramble fruit. Tannins are dry but very fine, making it quite supple already and certainly easy to drink with food. Not particularly concentrated but nicely balanced. Dark-chocolate finish. (JH)