This vintage was windy (good for disease pressure) early on, with hot (nearly drought) conditions in the runup to picking - i.e. very satisfactory for the extra ripening required for Syrah.

Fruit was picked on 21 April at an average brix level of 24.5 Following the usual draconian bunch thinning regime of 1 bunch/shoot we got the restricted yield of 1.4 tonnes/acre which pretty much guarantees fruit ripeness except in the meanest of summers.

While the Que Syrah doesn't match the inky purple hue of its Shiraz counterpart it is a lovely deep plum (In standard sensory analysis dark red is good, light red more equivocal, surprise, surprise.) Prior to bottling, it spent 1 year in French oak (30% new). First impression on the nose is sweet, rich and dense - all pleasant sensations - as distinct from the jammy/tarry more forceful and obvious notes of a typical Aussie monster.

On the palate, you'll get firm tannins that will allow at least five years of ageing for the self-disciplined. Some white pepper is evident, accompanied by a slight attractive tartness. Venison and duck are good bedfellows.