Clonakilla Syrah 2024

Restraint is the word. The perfume exudes elegance and restraint with aromas of wet and decaying leaves, dried herbs, bush garrigue, black olive tapenade, cured meat and black pepper to start. Blackberry, blueberry and dark cherry sit beneath the savoury tones, and tilled earth, star anise and flickers of dried violet emerge with air. Everything sits deep in the glass, drawing you in. The restraint carries through on the palate, which is cool with svelte and sappy fruit funnelled through a prism of fine-boned structure. Wet leaves, black olive in brine, green tea, cherry, blueberry, black pepper. Tannins are finely etched and the acidity is salivating through the finish, surging to freshen and draw it all very long. Black pepper attaches to the tannins and floats through the mouth perfume. Another classy release — Australian Syrah in full flight.