A deep but clear maroon-purple appearance. The nose flips between olive brine and cold clay, and more ascendant violet purple floral characters. With time in glass, a ripple of pleasing greeny stalkishness emerges as does white pepper and macerated blue-purple fruits.

The palate is all blackberry compote, unsweetened and vital, and the tannins are quite rolling and layered, silty and emery at the same time. Cool pepperiness builds to length.

RECENT REVIEWS

"An elegant, cool-climate syrah – for once, you might agree with the winemaker's preference for the term syrah over shiraz, and what it means in the glass. The latter maintains a lively, enduring spiciness and charm. Here's a vintage that offers a wealth of the region's pepper and spice style with ripe, dark plums, black cherry fruits, toasty oak and an intriguing whisper of savoury, smoked meats. Rolls across the tongue aided by fine-cut tannins. Depth and grace.” Awarded 95 points by Jeni Port, for Halliday Wine Companion.

“Floral and pink-fruited, the 2021 Thorley Syrah leads with a bouquet dusted in star anise, licorice, raspberry seed, black cherry and black tea. In the mouth, the wine is uber elegant, with a cool-climate framing. Gentle, swirling flavors roll around on the tongue, while the tannins are super fine, chalky and subtly shapely. This is a total pleasure. Juicy, blood orange acidity cleans up the palate, leaving the mouth refreshed.” 13% alcohol, sealed under Diam. Awarded 93 points by Erin Larkin, for Robert Parker, Wine Adocate.

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