Invitational Chatsfield Syrah 2022
CRUSHED VELVET • LAVENDER • BOYSENBERRY
From 40-year-old vines planted on a ridgetop of granitic sand and rocky ironstone clay loams, the vines gave tiny oval berries of dark purple colour and deep floral intensity. 100% whole cluster ferment gave intensely purple and blue fruited plushness with spice and a focused juicy, yet finely framed palate, speaking of a harsh year of extremes. This 2022 vintage syrah beguiles and seduces, unfurling and blossoming with some cellar age. 750ml
Accolades
96 points, The Real Review
Ranked #1 of 20 2022 Shiraz from Great Southern
Deep, saturated purple-red hue, excellent colour; deep and brooding dark-fruit aromas laced with a twist of black peper; the palate is intense an dfull-bodied, but light on its feet at the same moment. A very elegant, stylish shiraz with cool-climate flavours and intense flavour. Not a big wine but very intense, focused and long-lasting. A superb shiraz, well described as a syrah style.
93 points, Halliday Wine Companion
The fruit from this wine comes from a single site, planted in the early 1980s. Whole-bunch characters (herbal, minty, mezcal, floral) echo loudly in the wine, but this befits the 'syrah' moniker, delivering peppery nature married to the inherent red berry, raspberry fruit found in the wine. Tannins are puckering, fresh, acidity green and briny, both keeping the wine tight and racy. An exciting expression, quite overt in its whole-bunch seasoning, as a caveat, but I see the appeal in a more svelte and spicy expression.
Appearance: deep translucent purple, magenta edges
Aroma: deep exotic purple flowers, deep lilac, dark rose, dark roasted spices, touch of mocha, xmas cake, dark forest floor, cedar bark, crushed velvet curtain
Palate: round powerful ripe purple forest berries, dark plums, blackberry and mulberry, juicy, bramble, black berry cane, dark salted chocolate, refined, detailed and powdery tannins, red and black currants, purple wildflowers, tightly coiled, delicate yet powerful