Warramunda Liv Zak Yarra Valley Syrah 2018

To syrah or not to syrah? That is the question. To choose to label your wine syrah over the more conventional and Australian-proud shiraz indicates a deliberate winemaking and marketing choice. To ridiculously simplify, it boils down to elegance (syrah) over boldness (shiraz). In the case of Warramunda’s Liv Zak Syrah 2018, we see a touch of both in the way it combines a fine line of nicely formed fruit with an over-arching savouriness.

What starts off on the nose as cranberry, pomegranate, vanilla pod and spice moves into a pretty handy and developed three-year-old on the palate. Mingling with the blackberry, cranberry and a gentle leafiness is on overlay of earth and leather. Tannins are pliable and part of a seamless mouthfeel. The enduring savouriness brings a point of difference to this vintage given the characters, from memory, were not as prominent in the 2019 vintage. The result is part syrah and part shiraz and totally agreeable to taste.