2023 Ossa Syrah, East Coast Tasmania

Highly perfumed, showing aromas of violets, blueberry bush, apricot blossoms, white pepper and black cherries. The midweight palate has finely tuned tannins with a floral, herbal and meaty finish. A serious wine, showing all the hallmarks of a great cool-vintage, northern-Rhone syrah. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

96 points jamessuckling.com

A really impressive East Coast syrah that shows bright plum and forest fruits, daubed with fine spice, white and black pepper, pan juices, violets, gingerbread, olive tapenade, roasting meats, licorice and earth. Harmonious and elegant with a lithe, finely-honed palate, powdered, granitic tannins, bright acidity and a pitch perfect composition and travel. Finishes long and bright.

96 points Dave Brookes winecompanion.com.au

From a windswept site on Tasmania’s east coast, this Syrah shows how the island’s long, cool season can shape a red of perfume and tension rather than sheer weight. Ossa is a small, detail driven project focused on expressing marginal climate vineyards, and the east coast fruit benefits from dry conditions, intense light and very cold nights. The result is slow ripening that locks in acidity and aromatic lift, giving the wine a profile closer to cool northern Rhône Syrah than mainland Australian richness.

Winemaking is gentle and transparent. A portion of whole bunch fermentation adds spice and structure, while careful élevage refines tannins without softening the wine’s natural edge. The aim is clarity and energy, allowing the vineyard to remain the centre of attention.

Deep ruby with purple edges, the aromas rise with blackberry, red plum and blueberry layered with violet, white pepper and smoked herbs. The palate is medium bodied and tightly framed, with dark fruit wrapped in fine, savoury tannins and bright acidity. Flavours of berry, olive and spice run long through a clean, mineral finish that feels cool and precise.

It pairs beautifully with lamb, duck and earthy vegetable dishes. Already compelling with air, it will cellar confidently for ten to fifteen years, gaining smoky and savoury complexity.

This is Tasmanian Syrah shaped by ocean and altitude, perfumed, structured and distinctly cool climate.