Syrah 'Turtles Vineyard'

Score

16.5

"Deep crimson and still looks very youthful. Aromatic and open from first pour, black fruits, black pepper and subtle peony. Lovely fragrance and definitely Syrah not Shiraz. Richer than I expected on the palate, deep, smooth and peppery, with just a suggestion of the floral character I picked up in the aroma. Pure-fruited, the alcohol well integrated, and seems barely affected by the oak, though I suspect it has helped round out the tannins. Dark and slightly smoky/spicy on the palate with sufficient freshness for balance, it even has a suggestion of smoked meats, reminding me of the northern Rhône. Long, elegant finish. Like the Axia 2020, you could drink this now or keep it for several more years if you are looking for less immediate fruit and more complexity. (JH)"