2021 Vasse Felix Syrah

Brand	Vasse Felix
Region	Margaret River
Varietal	Syrah
Size	750ml
Alcohol %	14.0%
Vintage	2021
Country	Australia
Vegan
Vegetarian

Vasse Felix has always blessed the Fine Wine shelves but never their Syrah, new to us and what a welcome addition. Over the last few years, they have been increasing the portions of their more southern, spicy parcels of fruit, as well as the percentage of carbonic maceration and whole bunch fermentation due to the vibrancy, complexity, and drinkability these techniques bring to the final wine. A portion of the fruit was carefully tipped into an oak vat as whole bunches. The vat was closed up, filled with CO2 and left untouched for 7 days, causing an enzymatic fermentation in the uncrushed berry. The fruit was then foot stomped and allowed to start wild fermentation. The balance of the fruit was wild fermented as whole berries in Stainless Steel Fermenters with open lid and oxidative handling, after carefully destemming the fruit. The small batches were then pressed to only older French oak barriques and oak vats for 11 months. Very Northern Rhone in style, far removed from your classical Barossa Shiraz, rather more in line with Syrah from Hawkes Bay.

heady aromas of roasted red peppers, red currants, blackberries, violets, black pepper and spice.

served blind, it’s a dead ringer for Hawkes Bay Syrah but with a little more generous and riper fruit. Saying that it has a superb structure, juicy yet balanced by tight-grained, moreish tannins, the result of whole bunch fermentation. Tannins that linger and cling to your cheeks giving warmth and texture, generating a salivating sensation. Too delicious to not drink now but will age 5-7 years+. Serve with roasted red meats, lamb, beef, or venison.