Alkimi Syrah 2016

The grapes for this wine were once again picked from the Warramunda vineyard in
Coldstream, Yarra Valley. The soils at the vineyard are typical for the Coldstream area being grey loam over clay with speckles sandstone throughout. The clone is "Bests Old Block" which typically gives a bright, precise red fruit spectrum with less dark fruit and spice than the typical Syrah clones of the Yarra Valley.

The grapes were picked on 17th March. Once the grapes arrived into the winery; three
quarters of the pick was destemmed and moved to fermenters for an 18 day fermentation. Daily pumpovers with considered rack and returns were employed throughout. The other quarter of the batch was treated separately as a 100% whole bunch/carbonic fermentation for 4 weeks. After pressing the wine was run to puncheons and hogsheads, where 30% was new oak. Maloloctic fermentation was conducted in barrel and the wine was blended and bottled in November 2016, unfned and unfiltered.

The appearance is purple. There are funky, flint-like aromas instantly, which then give rise to fruit notes of cranberries, and blackberries. Choc-mint, violet, lavender and fresh leather show through along with subtle spice and creamy oak tones.

The palate shows white pepper, blue plum, cranberry and succulent Valencia orange. The palate is soft and mouth coating, silky tannins contribute to the roundness of the wine. This wine will continue to improve with time and it is expected to be able to be cellared for in excess of 10 years.