2021 Bekkers Syrah, McLaren Vale

Deep, bold, bright red-purple colour with essency aromas of black fruits, blackberry/blackcurrant, the flavours bold and primary, full-bodied, rich and generous, with traces of star anise and licorice, poised high on the ripeness scale but certainly gets away with it. Opulent and hedonistic, a full-bodied and plush shiraz that already drinks superbly and should have a long career.

97 points The Real Review Mar 2023

This is superb. Rich, layered and fresh, reflecting propitious sourcing across Blewitt Springs, Seaview and Kangarilla. Hand picked, extracted judiciously and aged in used 500L barrels and concrete. A small portion (18%) of whole bunches imparts seasoning to a torrent of dark fruits, clove, pepper, cinnamon, tamarind, licorice root and allspice. The trajectory, something to behold and picking up steam with air. Beef bouillon, nourishing, at its core. There is a lot going on here and yet this majestic wine is as cerebral or as visceral as the moment suits.

96 points Halliday Wine Companion Jul 2023

Bekkers has become one of Australia's most admired boutique wineries, producing tiny quantities of wines that regularly disappear into private cellars and restaurant lists soon after release. Toby and Emmanuelle Bekkers have built their reputation on sourcing exceptional fruit from carefully selected vineyards throughout McLaren Vale, combining Australian vineyard expertise with a deep appreciation for the great wines of the Rhône Valley. Their Syrah has become one of the country's cult reds, prized for its balance of power, perfume and finesse.

The 2021 vintage was exceptional across McLaren Vale, delivering fruit with remarkable concentration and natural balance. Rather than chasing sheer richness, Bekkers focuses on capturing the elegance and aromatic complexity that Syrah can achieve in the region's finest sites. Thoughtful winemaking and restrained oak handling allow the vineyard character to remain front and centre, resulting in a wine that is both sophisticated and deeply expressive.

Deep crimson purple in colour, the nose is intensely fragrant with aromas of blackberry, blueberry and dark cherry layered with violet, cracked pepper and exotic spice. As the wine opens, notes of olive tapenade, smoked meats, liquorice and dried herbs emerge, creating extraordinary complexity. The palate is seamless and beautifully textured, delivering concentrated dark fruits supported by fine grained tannins and vibrant acidity. Despite its depth and power, the wine remains graceful and energetic, finishing with exceptional length and layers of spice, mineral notes and savoury detail.

This is a magnificent partner for slow roasted lamb shoulder, chargrilled wagyu, venison with juniper, smoky eggplant dishes or a wild mushroom and truffle pithivier. While already captivating with a decant, the structure and balance suggest a long future ahead, with the wine set to evolve beautifully over the next fifteen to twenty years.

Cellaring: Drink now to 2042.