2009 Castagna Genesis Syrah 500ml, Beechworth

The Castagna Vineyard is situated at an altitude of 500 metres outside the beautiful town of Beechworth in Northeast Victoria, high in the foothills of the Australian Alps. The soil consists mainly of decomposed granitic-loam on a base of clay. The climate is distinctly Mediterranean with hot days and cool nights during the important part of the growing season. The land is farmed biodynamically.

The vineyard is hand-pruned and the fruit is hand-picked. We crop at a bit less than two tons per acre. The winemaking is very traditional using only our own vineyard’s indigenous yeast with minimal interference. Elevage varies between 18-20 months using only the very best, tight grain French oak available, about half of which is new each year.

The English Financial Times, arguably the world’s most prestigious newspaper, did a story on Australian wine and nominated who they considered to be the twelve best Australian winemakers – Julian Castagna was on that list;  an honour, indeed.

The nose is deep and compelling; black, brooding, with hints of sweet, ripe, cherry-to-plum fruit, then sweet leather – old leather, with a lick of boot polish that smells both intriguing and inviting. Then come notes of cracked black pepper and dried thyme, with just a touch of star anise. The palate is supple, earthen, rich and round with a fine dry spice – layers of black cherries, with an overlay of wild herbs giving a spicy lift to the wine. Mouth-filling, vibrant, spicy and alive, yet still long, dry, and savoury. A complex wine that lifts the bar another notch in the Genesis story. Spicy, juicy, savoury and yet complex, perhaps the most lush and approachable of all Genesis wines to date.

Julian Castagna has very definite ideas about viticulture (biodynamic), winemaking (minimal interference), and a belief that too many wines are homogenised. He also thinks this may be his best Genesis yet, and it certainly has personality; it overflows with dark berry to full-on black, with herbs, spices, polished leather and bramble, yet is finely drawn and perfectly balanced. It will live for as long as your patience lasts.

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