Innocent Bystander Syrah 2009

Aroma

5 Spice, campari, orange zest and juniper berries. Cherry ripe. Red summer berries. Dark chocolate. Dark cocoa.

Palate

Firm bright tannins with a brooding texture. Wild blackberries and raspberries. Savoury long finish.

Food Matching

This wine needs food! Baked red peppers stuffed with wild rice and mushrooms. Panzanella salad. Baked standing rib of beef and bernaise. Beaufort cheese. Char grilled lamb cutlets with

roasted garlic and rosemary.

Winemaking Note

There is a sea of fantastic Shiraz made in this country but the lion's share comes from the warmer winemaking regions of South Australia. These styles are big, juicy, often slightly jammy and a reputation for high levels of alcohol. For our 2009 release, we have renamed this wine Syrah as our style is more closely aligned to the cool peppery style from northern Rhône in France. The fruit for this wine comes from the Yarra Valley and the Pyrenees region in central Victoria. Fruit is hand picked, cold soaked pre-fermentation and undergoes whole berry ferments. Very gentle, very loved - just like the style of the wine it later becomes.

Reviews

Strong purple-crimson; generous and vibrant black cherry, plum and blackberry fruit from Victorian vineyards not affected by bushfire smoke taint; juicy, but at the same time has very good structure. Drink to 2020. Rating 93 - James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion online (7/MAR/2011)