Craggy Range Le Sol 2024 earns 97 points and ranks 2nd among 18 Hawke’s Bay Shiraz wines

Score and ranking

On 26 October 2026, The Real Review published its assessment of Craggy Range Le Sol 2024, priced at NZD 200. The Gimblett Gravels wine received 97 points and 5 stars. It ranked 2nd among 18 Shiraz wines from Hawke’s Bay in the 2024 vintage and was also designated “Top Rank” with a wine classification of 3 Merits.¹

Winemaking

The 2024 release came from Ben Tombs’s 1st full vintage as Craggy Range’s chief winemaker. Le Sol was assembled from 3 vineyard blocks: Block 10 underwent fermentation with 25% whole bunches, Block 11 fermented in concrete Nico Velo eggs, and Block 14 fermented in wooden cuves.¹

The wine matured for 18 months in a combination of French barriques and Austrian Stockinger barrels, with new oak accounting for 29% of the total. It has 14.0% alcohol and is sealed with a screwcap.¹

Tasting profile and serving

The Real Review described a deep-violet wine with cedar, vanilla and cream around concentrated violet, plum and blackberry fruit, accompanied by emerging molasses and cinnamon notes. On the palate, the review found intense black fruit, olive, spice and creamy oak, together with firm, gripping tannins beneath a rich texture and sweet-fruited character.¹

Although the wine remained entirely primary when reviewed, The Real Review considered it suitable for long-term development while also noting that its youthful richness made it approachable immediately. The recommended drinking period runs from now until 2041, and the suggested food match is stir-fried venison with white pepper sauce.¹

Availability

The listed stockists were Craggy Range Wine Club; The Good Wine Co online; Advintage in Auckland and online in New Zealand; The Wine Emporium in Newstead and online in Queensland; and Just Wines online in Australia.¹