Cropped at 3.8 tons per hectare and aged in barrel for 16 months, the 2006 Syrah purports to be the southern most Syrah in the world! But it could be a little better given the vintage. It lacks some fruit intensity on the nose but the palate is more promising with some bright red-berried fruit, a touch of white pepper and a sweet, fleshy cohesive finish. Just lacks some weight and length.Muddy Water is one of Canterbury’s most respected wine producers, established by Michael and Jane East in 1993, debuting with their 1997 vintage. Given that the difficulty of the growing season forced Muddy Water to source 31% of the Chardonnay fruit from Nelson and 55% from Marlborough, the 2005 Chardonnay is a great success.Importer: Via Pacifica, Sebastopol, CA; tel. (800) 823-5545; fax (707) 823-3393