the Central Otago stars. There's been a lot of media talk about the Grasshopper Rock, and I can see why. It's a complete wine. Bordeaux Varietals Between the two classes, only 4 golds. All of them sensational. It makes me wonder: Are we being too hard on these styles of wines. I'm sure some of the silvers should be gold? After all, I thought some of the golden Pinot Noirs were lucky ones, but such is the nature of panels and individual judges expressing their opinions and preferences, and the results of consensus decision making. The Villa Maria 'Reserve' Hawke's Bay Merlot 2010 the most understated, the Villa Maria 'Reserve' Hawke's Bay Cabernet/Merlot 2010 a powerhouse of grunt, and the Esk Valley 'Winemakers Reserve' Merlot/Malbec/Cabernet 2009 the most complex, layered and interesting. All were from the Gimblett Gravels, which speaks volumes. Syrah This is Pinot Noir taken up a notch in all departments then supercharged and given an extra turbo again. But underneath it all, the wines show origin and winemaker hand clearly. Fascinating to see the more opulent Villa Maria 'Reserve' 2009 versus the tightly packed Villa Maria 'Reserve' 2010. But the Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels 2011 ticked my boxes for class and purity. For exotic oaking and super-spiced flavours, the Passage Rock 'Reserve' Waiheke Island 2010 was the stand-out. A strong set of 8 golds. Emerging Styles There were 4 golds shown. The Coopers Creek 'SV Bell-Ringer' Gisborne Albarino 2012 has such a pleasing balance. It's 'fall in