Longview Macclesfield Syrah 2021

The fruit for this cracker comes from a single vineyard, exposed and wind-swept, with low yielding 25-year-old vines. Selection is done by way of tasting – it is the flavour which qualifies a parcel of grapes for inclusion in the wine. Three tonnes goes to open fermenters, and half that undergoes carbonic maceration. The two parcels are blended before malo and then spend ten months maturing in old French oak puncheons before bottling unfiltered. Vibrant purple in colour, the wine is both ripe and rich as well as focused and refined. With good length, the wine maintains its focus and intensity for the full journey before a slow fade with silky tannins. Notes of animal hides, leather, chocolate, aniseed, coffee grinds, blackberries and cassis to finish – impressive early complexity. Anyone who thinks good Shiraz stops at the border of the Barossa/McLaren Vale needs to adjust their parameters.