First Impressions
Scapegrace Uncommon Hawke's Bay Late Harvest celebrates the produce of New Zealand's premium wine region, preserved past its natural harvest. Raspberry leaf, pear and olive are the botanical stars — limited to 3,000 individually numbered bottles. Where Central Otago's Early Harvest is bright and fresh, Hawke's Bay is rich, ripe, and contemplative.
Tasting
The nose delivers vegetal olive balanced by fresh raspberry, pear skin and florals, with juniper and citrus on the tail. On the palate, extremely rich and very balanced — slightly sweet with tart and savoury flavours, nectarine, pear and honey depth. The finish is very smooth and long with late harvest richness.
The Bottom Line
Scapegrace Uncommon Hawke's Bay earns an 8 for terroir-driven gin-making at its most ambitious. The olive and raspberry leaf are unexpected yet work beautifully, and the late harvest timing gives riper, richer flavours than the Early Harvest edition. One to shine in a Martini.
