Syrah
Price range: $100.00 through $600.00 inc. GST
Radiating intense and unmatched Eden Valley aromatics from the very first in breath. More floral and savoury on the nose than fruity, especially compared with other offerings from this vintage. Suggesting layers of rose petal, lavender, graphite, and black olives, enhanced by just the right touch of black pepper and truffle to round out the aromatics. A very late harvest allowed the fruit to develop fully without becoming overdone, showcasing a dense ruby colour and a palate of complexity that remains truly elegant, supported by well integrated, silky tannins, and sealed seamlessly by the site’s natural energy. Patience was once again rewarded, delivering overall balance, mouthwatering juiciness, and a touch of spicy savouriness. There is no place like Eden. Double decanting at least two hours before enjoying is highly recommended.
In the eventful year of 2020, I undertook the restoration of a vineyard just outside Springton in Eden Valley. A block planted in 1989 but neglected for seven years lies at an altitude of 380 metres. The site features shallow grey loamy sand over predominantly limestone bedrock, situated on a gentle northwest facing slope. It was evident the vineyard had seen better days. That spring, I discovered that a prominent local winemaker had previously sourced fruit from this block until its decline. This revelation served as both encouragement and affirmation that it could indeed be an unpolished, forgotten gem. By the end of the second growing season, I was rewarded with a modest yield of just two barriques of wine. What a joy!
The 2023 season marked the third consecutive year of mild weather in the Barossa, with some very late harvesting. Despite the evident challenges during the wet spring, many vineyards, including mine, experienced favourable growing conditions that led to slightly above average yields of elegant, structured wines with depth and length of flavour. Summer was on the drier yet cooler side, without any heatwaves or spikes, and there was an unusually generous amount of runoff into local dams. A farmer’s delight.
Hand picked on 8th May with the invaluable assistance of dear friends, the grapes were fully destemmed and underwent spontaneous fermentation, with gentle punch downs conducted twice daily. After 14 days on skins, the batch was pressed off into a tank and transferred the following day to French oak barrels (around 5% new). The wine matured in these barrels for 30 months without any racking. It then spent a few additional months in tank before bottling in March 2026.
1206 bottles produced, 6 magnums.
No fining or filtration. Minimal sulphur dioxide added.
Alcohol Vol. (%): 14.5%
Closure: Amorim Qork Xpür
