Winemaker Notes
On the nose, red to black fruit characters of raspberries and red currants intermingle with darker cherry like chocolate aromas. Subtle black pepper and smoky notes, graphite and scorched earth add complexity.
The palate opens gently with refined definition, nicely accentuated by a solid core of fruit weight without heaviness. The acid balance supports the very long but fine tannins.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Silky, open-textured and utterly beguiling for its exuberant raspberry and plum fruit, sailing smoothly over the tannins in pinpoint balance. Picks up savory notes as the finish persists. Drink now through 2014. 180 cases imported.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
Historically some of Australia’s most lucrative gold country, today Heathcote maintains its esteemed reputation as a source of country’s best red wines. The rolling countryside of ancient reddish brown soils bordered by mountain ranges that funnel cool air into the region during the growing season create some of Australia’s most deeply-hued and impressively layered Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon wines.