2024 A & C Ainsworth Syrah, 'Saddleback' Pyrenees, VIC. 750ml
The fruit for the 2nd rendition of this wine was picked on the 8th April allowing for a long period of flavour development in the vineyard. This year the stems appeared less ripe than previous so we de-stemmed around a third of the grapes and kept the remaining two thirds as whole clusters. During the maceration we undertake both pump-overs and punch-downs, for us Syrah enjoys a more robust extraction than the Grenache. After 18 days the Syrah was pressed to a combination of puncheon and barrique where it aged for 10 months before being bottled at the end of February 2025.
The resulting wine is evocative of saturated dark berries, black pepper and a bouquet garni of dried herbs. Compared to last year this is a fuller, more "Shiraz" like expression, a reflection of the warmer vintage. It's great drinking now for those who enjoy the elemental Syrah flavours and will also reward careful cellaring.
