Halo Range The Whole Bunch 'Syrah' 2023

Appearance: medium to deep magenta, with purple edges

Aroma: lifted floral bouquet of roses, violets; dark berries of blackberry and blueberry; ground black pepper, raspberries, white currants, shaved cedar, wet graphite, moist forest floor, toasted rye bread, plump ripe plum skin, black berry bramble

Palate: juicy dark red berry fruit, plum skin; savoury, umami, medium with and length; fine firm tannins that surround the fruit; an earthy, slightly tarry finish; cassis leaf, dark currant, delicate, but well proportioned; red peppercorn, juicy sappy finish

Whole bunches were hand harvested one early morning in mid-April so the fruit was cool when it arrived at the winery. Remaining cool and resting for several days helped to lignify the stems. The fruit began to undergo carbonic fermentation within the berries giving intense floral aromatics and flavours. After four days, the fruit was tipped into an open top fermenter, gently foot stomped (pigeage) to release the juice, fermenting both on skins and stems and followed by gentle punch downs. After 15 days on skins, it was pressed gently to barrel creating a wine of seductive fruit with a mouthcoating fine structure, taut and poised and undeniably Syrah.

Aged in 100% seasoned French oak of 225L barriques and 300L hogsheads (0% new), for 14 months on fine lees. Blending occurred with no fining and minimal filtration. Bottled in August 2024, released March 2025.