Description
Syrah is a labour of love for us here at Te Whare Ra. There are very few producers in the area (and in fact not many in the South Island) who make this variety - so it is a bit left field for Marlborough – but our site is warmer than many, which means we have the length of growing season required to ripen it, and our soil type (which has a higher clay content) is well suited too. It requires a lot of careful attention in the vineyard to make it work here– but the results are more than worth it.
Awards
93 pts Vinous by Antonio Galloni
93 pts The Real Review
94 pts James Suckling
Certifications
Alcohol
13.0%
Analytical data
Vineyard
Syrah is a labour of love for us here at Te Whare Ra. There are very few producers in the area (and in fact not many in the South Island) who make this variety - so it is a bit left field for Marlborough – but our site is warmer than many, which means we have the length of growing season required to ripen it, and our soil type (which has a higher clay content) is well suited too. It requires a lot of careful attention in the vineyard to make it work here– but the results are more than worth it.
We planted our first Syrah here on the home block in 2004 and have been producing it since 2007. This is our 11th release of Syrah as it was not released from the 2014, 2017 or 2018 vintages. This 2020 release is a blend of two of the different clones planted on the home vineyard. It exhibits the great fragrance, savouriness and suppleness that we love about cool climate Syrah and might just surprise a few doubters.
Vinification
All fruit for this wine was hand-picked, hand-sorted then destemmed and berry sorted to ensure that only pristine, perfect Syrah berries made it into the fermenters. Gently transferred to small one tonne open fermenters, and hand plunged up to 3 times daily. Cold soak for 6-7 days, 6-7 day ferment, and up to 9 days post ferment maceration. Pressed off on taste then filled to oak after 24hrs. All in French oak for 12 months, various different coopers, 33% new, balance in older oak. Bottled un-fined with minimal filtration
Maturation
All in French oak for 12 months, various different coopers, 33% new, balance in older oak.