2015 Bekkers McLaren Vale Syrah
Decanter Magazine Panel Tasting
Australian Shiraz
Outstanding:
Toby Bekkers, McLaren Vale, South Australia 2015
95pts Tina Gellie, 95pts Roger Jones, 95pts Anthony Rose
A chance meeting between French winemaker, Emmanuelle, and Australian viticulturist, Toby, (one of Australia’s most respected authorities on organics and biodynamics) resulted in the Bekkers label. The pair have travelled extensively, visiting some of Europe’s top producers. This is their flagship wine and blends fruit from two different vineyards. Fermentation is kicked off by natural yeasts, before the wine is matured for 20 months in French puncheons, 40% of which are new.
TG: An excellent balance of fresh cherry fruit and vibrant acidity here-lively and lipsmacking! Integrated sweet oak and a hint of tobacco spice sit alongside a refreshing herbal character and fine fruit tannins.
RJ: Very bright acidity on the palate, with cherries, frangipane and soft vanilla oak. Needs time, but evolves beautifully in the glass; the cherries get riper and there is a lovely softness to the wine.
AR: Vibrant, fresh fruit aromas, with lots of energy. Overall the picture is bright, with lots of vivacious black cherry and kirsch fruit, in a seamlessly textured, albeit still elementally youthful red.
Drink: 2018-2025