Murdoch Hill Syrah 2019

Murdoch Hill Syrah is an estate-grown Adelaide Hills Syrah.

Conditions in 2019 suited Syrah at this address almost perfectly. The fruit is estate-grown off an east-facing block planted in 1998 and worked organically. Ferment was wild, with 15 per cent whole bunches going in to lift the aromatics, and maturation happened mostly in old barrique with only a small share new. Michael Downer looks for complexity in the fruit and treats oak as a vessel, nothing more. That restraint holds across the range, and it is why these wines read as cool-climate Shiraz instead of something built on wood.

Pepper and violets over dark cherry, with a savoury, almost meaty undertow. Medium-weight, fine in tannin, bright in acid. Serve at 16 degrees, decanted if you have time. Lamb skewers, braised beef cheek or a pepper-crusted sirloin all work well with it.

*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.