This wine has an intense ruby colour, a nose showing pepper and liquorice with the aromas of raspberries and plums, and presently somewhat of a tight palate textured with fruit tannins. The flavours are dense, reminscent of raspberries, sweet berries and spice. This wine is quite varietal in the French (Côte Rotie) rather than the Australian tradition. It will open out as it ages - evaluate it as time goes on - and since French Syrahs tend to be very long-lived and notable for their developed complexities, do keep some to see how it develops in the longer term. 1997 was a cool year for Martinborough and the fact that the Syrah has produced attractive flavours even under these conditions with young vines, bodes well for the future of this variety in the region. |
