Winery notes (2021 Vintage)
"A fragrant aroma black cherry and fragrant blueberry with hints of black pepper and 5 spice with a hint of musk and thyme underlining the complex bouquet. This is a beautifully balanced wine with Black Doris plum, blackberry and sweet prune supported by a silky textured palate with firm but fine-grained tannins and a hint of oak giving this Syrah great structure and length.
Whole bunches are destemmed and partially crushed. We aim for about 20% whole berry in the tank. After several days the ferment is started and kept under 30°C. Regular pumpovers will keep the cap submerged and extract the fine skin tannins present in this wine. Malolactic fermentation takes place in tank during maceration. The wine undergoes elevage for 12 to 14 months in a mix of 225L oak barriques and 500L oak puncheons, it is racked once before bottling the year following harvest. We use French oak of which 50% is new."
4 ½ Stars Michael Cooper (2021 Vintage)
"Full-coloured, the youthful 2021 vintage was estate-grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and matured in French oak casks (50 per cent new). It has a floral, spicy, strongly varietal bouquet. Mouthfilling, fresh and supple, it is a graceful, energetic red, with ripe berry and spice flavours, savoury notes adding excellent complexity, fresh acidity and a lingering finish. Best drinking 2025+."
Rated Excellent & 93/100 Cameron Douglas MS, June 2023 (2021 Vintage)
"Bright, youthful, fresh and engaging bouquet of Syrah with an immediate flourish of fresh red berries, lees spices, a touch of white pepper and red currant. Following this are scents of red flowers and some barrel spice qualities. Very youthful and quite taut on the palate with acidity fresh new berry flavours dominating. Firm tannins and judicious use of oak appeal. Well made and ready to imbibe from 2024 through 2029."
5 Stars & 18.5+/20 (94) Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Reviews, June 2023 (2021 Vintage)
"Deep purple with a ruby-black hue, lighter on the rim. The nose is lush and broody with blackberry, plum, chorizo, tar, violet, and dark spice aromas. Full-bodied, aromas of blackberry and dark plum entwined with violet, black pepper, liquorice, chorizo, tar and herb. The fruit is dense with rich, complex, deep flavours, unfolding savoury and floral layers. Dusty, ripe tannins provide a structured framework, flowing with lively acidity to a juicy, long finish. This black-fruited Syrah shows structure and concentration with a wide range of flavours and fine, smooth tannins. Match with venison and roasted lamb over the next 6+ years. 13.5% alc."
Reviews for the 2020 vintage below…
5 Stars & 96/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, March 2023 (2020 Vintage)
"Wonderfully complex and stylish, the wine shows blackberry, cedar, smoked game and warm spice aromas, leading to a concentrated palate offering richly textured mouthfeel backed by finely infused tannins. Generous and stylish at the same time, finishing superbly long and velvety. At its best: now to 2035."
5 Stars & 95/100 Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review (2020 Vintage)
"Deep, inky syrah with cassis, dark berry, blackcurrant, black pepper, floral, violet, anise and spice flavours. An impressive wine both texturally and in flavour intensity. Can be enjoyed now but shows obvious cellaring potential. Great value at this price."