2024 Timo Mayer Syrah, Yarra Valley

Timo Mayer Syrah from the Yarra Valley is a vibrant, boundary-pushing expression of cool-climate Shiraz, crafted with Mayer's signature whole-bunch fermentation and minimal intervention philosophy. Known for his playful yet precise winemaking style, Timo treats Syrah with finesse rather than force, resulting in a wine that's bright, aromatic, and bursting with character.

In the glass, it pours a deep ruby with purple flashes. The nose is instantly captivating—dark cherry, blackberry, and plum leap out, intertwined with crushed violets, cracked pepper, and a hint of smoky charcuterie. There’s a subtle earthiness too, like forest floor after rain, alongside a touch of wild herb and spice. On the palate, it’s juicy and medium-bodied, offering layers of dark fruit, red currant, and black olive, all wrapped in silky tannins and lifted by vibrant acidity. The whole-bunch fermentation adds a crunchy texture and savoury complexity, while the finish is long, spicy, and just a little bit wild.

This Syrah loves food. It’s brilliant with grilled lamb, barbecued eggplant, or chargrilled steak, but it’s equally at home with mushroom risotto or a plate of aged hard cheeses. While drinking beautifully now with a short decant, it has the structure to age gracefully for 8–10 years, softening and developing more savoury depth with time.

Timo Mayer’s Syrah is everything cool-climate Shiraz should be—energetic, complex, and refreshingly different. It’s proof that serious wine can still be fun, especially when made by someone who doesn’t take life—or winemaking—too seriously.