2022 BK Wines Carte Blanche Syrah, Adelaide Hills

This is a peppery, gamey, frisky shiraz/syrah, alive with red cherry and cranberry flavours before turning twiggy and (very) dry. Indeed, for this wine's drinkability, this is so dry that you'd have to question its balance.

89 points Campbell Mattinson winecompanion.com.au

BK Wines Carte Blanche Syrah from the Adelaide Hills is a bold yet expressive take on cool-climate Syrah, made with BK Wines' signature mix of edge, elegance, and wild personality. This is Syrah with attitude, structured, perfumed, and full of savoury detail, crafted by Brendon Keys with his usual fearless approach to winemaking.

Carte Blanche isn’t about rules, it’s about creative freedom. The fruit comes from a high-altitude vineyard site in the Adelaide Hills where Syrah ripens slowly, developing deep spice and vibrant acidity. Brendon lets the vineyard lead the way, using whole bunch fermentation, wild yeasts, and a gentle touch in the cellar to craft a wine that’s textured, complex, and distinctly expressive.

In the glass, it opens with aromas of blackberry, black olive, violets, and crushed pepper, with an earthy, meaty core that’s both rustic and refined. The palate is medium bodied with a lovely interplay of dark fruit, spice, and savoury tannins, finishing long, fresh, and just a little wild.

This is not your jammy Shiraz, it’s more northern Rhône than Barossa, with a cool climate backbone and plenty of personality. Perfect with slow-cooked lamb, grilled eggplant, or smoky mushrooms.