Bekkers McLaren Vale Clarendon Syrah 2023

The first single vineyard bottling from the precious Clarendon site first planted in the 1840s. This did not come at a simple price tag with the couple pouring their time, labour, blood, sweat and tears into restoring it. Steep, cool and roots buried in clay and schist soils. Luckily after all the effort, the site seems very willing to tell its tale in the glass. Illawarra plum skin, black cherries and torn banksia leaf. There is carob and coffee grinds, turned grey earth and blueberries. A sandy, wet stone like minerality, followed by the echo of concentrated black fruit. The coolness of the site shows in its aerial arcs of acidity, making for a medium bodied drink full of freshness and wonder. Not only is it impossible to put down, the flexible shape of the wine keeps you guessing and completely enamoured. Tannins slowly attach like magnets making for quite a solid fabric of texture. This will age slowly over the next 12-15 years. A really special wine and spectacular for its inaugural release.