Comparison
Hawke’s Bay Syrah vs Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
How Hawke’s Bay Syrah and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano differ, dimension by dimension.
The short answer
The main differences: Hawke’s Bay Syrah has more spice; Hawke’s Bay Syrah has more floral character; Vino Nobile di Montepulciano has more earthy character.
Choose
Hawke’s Bay Syrah
Choose Hawke’s Bay Syrah if you want something spicier, more floral, fruitier.
Choose
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Choose Vino Nobile di Montepulciano if you want something earthier, fresher and more acidic.
Where they genuinely differ
Only differences large enough to notice in the glass are listed here. A gap of half a point on a five-point scale is noise, and WineHQ does not dress it up as a finding.
Spice
Clear differencePepper, clove, cinnamon and related spice notes, whether from the grape (as with rotundone in Syrah) or from oak.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah is spicier: high against low.
Floral character
Clear differenceBlossom, rose, violet, elderflower, acacia and related aromatic notes.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah is more floral: medium-plus against low.
Earthy character
Clear differenceForest floor, mushroom, wet stone, clay and undergrowth notes. Frequently, though not exclusively, associated with cooler and more traditional styles.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is earthier: medium against low.
Acidity
Clear differenceTotal perceived acidity. Rises in cooler climates and with earlier picking; falls with heat and ripeness.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is fresher and more acidic: high against medium-plus.
Fruit intensity
Clear differenceHow loudly the fruit flavours speak, independent of whether they are ripe or tart.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah is fruitier: medium-plus against medium.
Texture
Clear differenceMouthfeel independent of weight — from lean and cutting through to creamy, waxy or velvety. Driven by lees contact, malolactic conversion, skin contact and ageing.
Hawke’s Bay Syrah is rounder and creamier in texture: medium-plus against medium.
Where they are much the same
Just as useful: knowing which parts of the choice do not matter.
- Sweetness: Similar — both low.
- Tannin: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Alcohol: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Body: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Aromatic intensity: Similar — both medium.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Hawke’s Bay Syrah | Vino Nobile di Montepulciano |
|---|---|---|
| Spice | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | low (1/5) |
| Floral character | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | low (1/5) |
| Earthy character | low (1/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Acidity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Texture | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Sweetness | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Tannin | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Alcohol | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Body | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | medium (3/5) | medium (3/5) |
| Oak influence | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Savoury character | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Herbal / green character | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Perceived freshness | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Carbonation | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Serve at | 15–17°C | 15–17°C |
| Typical flavours | blackberry, black pepper, violet, olive, plum | sour cherry, plum, dried herbs, leather, tobacco |
Values are typical points within each wine’s range. Both wines vary — see the individual pages for how much.