2013 McLaren Vale Syrah Grenache
Posted on 20 January 2015.
Rating 93+
Pedal to the metal on a rolling start; so it seems for Toby and Emmanuelle Bekkers and their eponymous wine project. Husband and wife, celebrated viticulturist and winemaker, respectively. This is sourced from Abri vineyard from which the excellent 2013 Bekkers Grenache wine comes from, blended with shiraz parcels from Hickinbotham and Gateway vineyards. Around 20% is whole bunch fermented, sees no inoculation of yeast, basket pressed to used French oak.
Such potent perfume. Almost an assault in sweet, pretty fruit characters chaperoned with musk, cola, briar, anise. Firm in texture, chewy tendrils of tannins amongst a pleasing, saturating slosh of red and black fruit with a big belt of dusty, peppery spice. While flavours linger, there’s a rugged earthiness and little jag of acidity in the finish that feels like it needs time to mellow. Still, plenty to like here. Plenty. 93+/100
Mike Bennie
Winefront