2014 Streicker Bridgeland Block Syrah, Margaret River

Made from fruit off our coolest vineyard, this wine is an elegant style of Shiraz. In colour it is deep purple with rich red streaks and spicy aromas of glazed pears. Cinnamon and cloves form an underlay to darker aromas of raspberry jam, baked orange rind and white pepper. The palate is bright and spicy, with hints of leather, forest floor, cracked allspice and dark chocolate forming a complex medley to fine grained layers of tannin and textures of bay leaf, black olives and spiced apricots. The finish is long and dark, with fresh notes of white pepper and citrus blossom left lingering. Up to 8 years, however we enjoy it for freshness now.

50% hand-picked, destemmed, the berries left uncrushed, 33% stalks added back to the must, 4 days later the remainder hand-picked and destemmed, both parts kept cold for 8 days, pumped over twice daily, pressed to French oak (33% new) to finish fermentation and maturation for 14 months before blending and bottling. The colour is excellent, the juicy red and black cherry fruit vibrant and fresh. If there is an issue, it is the low level of tannin-based structure, but I'll forgive it that.