96.3% Syrah from the ‘Spade Oak’ vineyard, destemmed and
given a 5 day cold soak and co-fermented with 3.7% Viognier by indigenous
yeasts to 13.7% alc., the wine spending 7 days on skins post ferment and aged
14 months in 30% new oak equivalence. Very
dark, deep, black-hued red with lighter purple hues on rim. This has a very full and voluminous nose with
intense and focussed aromas of savoury black berry fruits and black pepper,
harmoniously infused with spices, game and earthy notes, lifted by violetty
florals. Medium-full bodied, rich and
luscious, sweet and spicy, savoury black berry fruit flavours fill the mouth,
unfolding layers of pepper and florals.
Oaking adds nutty and spice detail.
The acidity is discreet and the palate is rounded, with fine-grained tannin
extraction in support. The structure
builds in prominence to balance the richness and carries the spicy fruit to a
dry, densely packed, long finish. This
is a softly rich and well-structured Syrah with savoury and sweet fruit and harmonious
complexity. Match with slow-cooked game
meat dishes over the next 5-6+ years. 250
dozen made. 18.5/20 Nov 2013
RRP $34.95
Disclaimer: This wine is distributed by ‘Wine2Trade’, the
company under which ‘Raymond Chan Wine Reviews’ operates