Bec Hardy Syrah 2023

Can’t you just see all the old timers in McLaren Vale holding up the bar at their local, weeping into their beer. Syrah? What the hell is that? In McLaren Vale? What has the world come to? What is wrong with good old Shiraz? Worked for us for more than a century. Can’t imagine the French at their local bistro ever having that same problem. One can even imagine that there might be suggestions of the original Thomas Hardy spinning in his grave. Still, the world moves on and, in the end, it is what is in the bottle, not on it, that counts. Which is good news for this wine. An inky dark maroon, the nose sings with notes of plums, cloves, licorice, chocolate and dry herbs. There are fine, quite velvety tannins here, and the wine has impressive length. If ever a McLaren Vale Shiraz (or Syrah) could be termed elegant, this would be it. Attractive drinking now and for a good decade, this is well focused with good energy and a lingering finish.