Dandelion Vineyards Midnight Rainbow of McLaren Vale Petite Sirah 2021

A guess but this might be the most expensive Petit Sirah (or Syrah) made in this country. That would put some heavy expectation on it. The team describe Midnight Rainbow as their most mysterious McLaren Vale vineyard. That begs two questions. They have mysterious vineyards outside McLaren Vale? And what on earth makes a vineyard mysterious? That one might be above my pay grade. The fruit is apparently from their Firehawk Farm in McLaren Vale. The wine is made in accordance with biodynamic principles. Less mysteriously, the team gently crush the fruit into open top fermenters for ten days’ fermentation, before basket pressing into French oak barrels for a year and a half’s maturation. One-third of the barrels were new. A most fascinating nose, with hints of delicatessen meats, cold tea, chocolate, leather and smoked notes. Good concentration and power. The palate sees more cocoa powder and coffee grinds. A burly style of medium length with fine tannins. This has a good ten years in it. An impressive Petit Sirah, living up to those expectations.