Riversdale Estate Syrah 2021

“She is a bit of finesse with some gutsy stuff in the middle!” – Riversdale Estate’s winemaker Jasper Marais on his trophy winning, 2021 Single Vineyard Syrah.

Have you ever noticed how we signify something dear to us with a pronoun, be that; a car, a house, a ‘best wine of show’? To be honest, I use it as a gauge as to whether or not a wine takes my fancy. A good wine is evocative. Those that catch my attention coincidingly ignite my imagination, and although some may argue that this is simply the effects of alcohol, they begin adopting human characteristics. From my notes, the 2021 Syrah symbolised ‘a femme fatale’. She (there’s that personification again) was elegant, seductive and had that ‘je ne sais quoi’. Whilst Jasper referred to her as his “princess”, I couldn’t help attributing a matriarch stature – perhaps a reflection of her youth today and her power to rule in the coming years.

Her bouquet is one of intrigue rather than prettiness; sarsaparilla, cacao, raspberries, blackcurrant, dried blueberries, potting soil and boot polish. Medium bodied and refined, she is not garish – the use of 100% old French oak testament. She is every bit her Syrah moniker; bright acidity, fresh fruit in lieu of conserve and those savoury tannins that act as a sieve in capturing her metaphoric ‘spice’ – an allure of white pepper and nutmeg. A femme fatale, that should have your Barossan wives worried.