This outstanding McLaren Vale Syrah has been named Balmoral after the Oatley family homestead, built in 1852. Sourcing the best quality fruit from 50-100 year old McLaren Vale vineyards, the wine was first produced in 1989 and in 1992 it was named Balmoral. Syrah vines have been grown in McLaren Vale for over 160 years and a few small patches of very old vines survive today, yielding tiny quantities of exceptional fruit. Balmoral is a highly stylised wine, reflecting Old Vine South Australian Syrah. Its velvety palate structure and rich expressive fruit has made it an extremely sought after wine in previous years and the 1998 vintage will undoubtedly continue to build on its reputation. 1998 Balmoral has an excellent deep purple/red colour, and an aroma showing intense, concentrated plum and blackberry fruit underpinned by extremely well integrated American oak. The palate shows the typical full length, expressive fruit and velvety richness, that defines Balmoral. The concentration of berry fruits, cloves and spices wrapped tightly together and complimented by finely integrated savoury oak combine into a seamless lingering finish.