Murdoch Hill Artisan Series Landau Syrah 2018

Murdoch Hill Artisan Series Landau Syrah is a single-block Adelaide Hills Syrah grown at Oakbank.

The Landau block faces mostly east on the Oakbank property, 400 metres up, on shallow red loam threaded with schist and ironstone. The vines went in during 1998. Warm, sunny days there ripen Syrah properly while afternoon breezes and cold nights hold the acid in place, and the block is farmed without herbicide on organic lines. Michael Downer works it as a wild ferment with half whole bunches and whole berries in one-tonne open vats, then keeps oak to a whisper: older French puncheons, under 10 per cent new, for ten months. Of everything he makes, this is the bottle that reads most clearly as his own.

Dark cherry, cracked pepper and dried herbs, with the stalky lift whole bunches bring. Medium-bodied and savoury, the tannins fine and drying. Serve at 16 degrees with lamb shoulder, grilled eggplant or a peppercorn steak.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.