A modern, elegant, cool climate style crafted from our premier parcels of southern Margaret River Syrah (Shiraz). Wild fermented, with a portion of whole bunch fermentation and carbonic maceration, this aromatic, fine-boned Syrah is luscious, spicy and beautifully complex, representing the future of our favourite ‘alternative’ Margaret River red varietal.
A year of peculiar weather where our commitment to organic viticulture was vital to the successful growth of quality, balanced fruit. A cool and wet spring prompted the need for an intense leaf plucking program to mitigate disease risk. December and January luckily were very warm and dry, then canopy management was a priority throughout February and March to combat unusually warm and moist conditions. A rainfall event in early February provided a timely drink for the red varietals, followed by warm weather which was ideal for the Chardonnay to achieve ripeness. A second rainfall incident in early March was followed by sunny and breezy conditions to dry off the fruit for healthy ripening. With our judicious canopy management and a crop of naturally resilient grapes, we are pleased to say that fantastic quality fruit was ripened and harvested with little-to-no disease in our vineyards.
95 Points
100% wild ferment, 20% carbonic maceration, 13% whole bunches. Matured for 11 months in seasoned French oak. Iridescent in the glass, and all silky flow on the palate. The 2020 vintage was responsible for a tranche of wines that taste, frankly, effortless. This is one of those wines. Gorgeous, with all the push and pull of exotic spice, Chambord, orange zest and crispy nori you could possibly want. Glorious. (V20)
95 Points
The fruit for this wine is largely from southern Margaret River vineyards. It’s made in a slightly softer and more restrained style to the standard shiraz from Vasse Felix. Beautifully aromatic and perfumed with a spicy dried herb mix. Carbonic maceration has been adopted to contribute to the light perfumes and effortless palate weight and smoothness. The tannins are fine and chalky and the oak brilliantly handled to compliment. It’s a wine that almost redefines Margaret River shiraz. (V20)
94 Points
Not the easiest vintage in Margs, but you wouldn’t know it with this buoyant yet savoury offering. If anything, it needs more time in the bottle as it’s highlighting the exuberance of youth with its poppy dark fruits all spiced and tarted up with cranberry juice flavour. As it opens in the glass more layers are revealed, the texture of fine sandy tannins and lots of them, there’s a stony quality in a positive way as this is still tight. Savoury, complex and appealing.