GIANT STEPS TARRAFORD VINEYARD SYRAH 2022

Trophy for Best Shiraz – Yarra Valley Wine Show 2023
Gold Medal – Yarra Valley Wine Show 2023

Winery notes (2022 Vintage)
"The final Tarraford Syrah blend is comprised of two separate ferments from Block 4. The Whole Bunch portions (70% of the blend) were fermented for 14 days before being pressed and completing malolactic fermentation in French oak puncheons (25% New). The Destemmed portions (30% of the blend) went through a longer cooler fermentation before being pressed and matured in foudre (2000L) for 10 months. The wine was then blended and returned to the seasoned foudre for an additional 5 months to integrate before bottling by gravity."

97/100 Philip Rich, James Halliday Wine Companion, June 2024 (2022 Vintage)
"A single-block shiraz; 60% whole cluster co-fermented with 2% viognier and matured mainly in puncheons together with one large foudre. A medium, bright, crimson purple. The first Tarraford syrah since '18, this promptly won the Trophy for Best Syrah at last year's Yarra Valley Wine Show. Aromas of dark cherries, blueberries and graphite, with the viognier adding some exotic allspice and incense notes. Concentrated, tightly focused and beautifully balanced. Impressively long on the floral-infused finish. Super wine."

5 Stars & 96/100 Huon Hooke, The Real Review (2022 Vintage)
"Deep, concentrated purple-red colour; the aromas are likewise bright, fresh intense and bold: white pepper, freshly picked herbs and red fruits including raspberry. There is a generous measure of whole-bunch tied up in this. The flavour is impressively intense and focused, elegant and spicy, long and penetrating. The tannins are velvet smooth but are doing their job beautifully. Lovely now and will surely reward keeping. A ripping cool-climate shiraz."

95/100 Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front, August 2024 (2022 Vintage)
"This is a pretty syrah. It’s floral and the fruit has a sweetness and while there are ample herb and spice notes around the edges – it does come across as syrah – the flowers-and-raspberries aspect is the main driver. Black cherry, smoky oak, peppercorn and perhaps a dab of graphite character are in the picture here. This wine won an award at the 2023 Yarra Valley Wine Show and it’s easy to see why; it’s pretty, it’s well powered, and it’s impeccable."

96/100 Mike Bennine, The Wine Front, August 2024 (2022 Vintage)
"Ooh delicious. Sappy, savoury, silky, perfumed. Dark cherry, sweet spice, game meat, alpine herbs. So fine and elegant with concentration. Very savoury and super delicious, love that peppery element. Gosh this is good. Serious wine."

94/100 James Suckling (2022 Vintage)
"Spice-driven aromas of wild blackberries, blood plums, citrus peel, white pepper and dried herbs. The palate is full-bodied with fine tannins and integrated acidity, giving notes of blueberries, river stones and cured meat with a floral edge. Co-fermented with 2% viognier, giving lift and perfume. Drink or hold."