Domaine Clarendon Syrah 2021

Region:
Clarendon, McLaren Vale: 15 kms N/E of McLaren Vale. 350 metres above sea level. High altitiude, cool climate Clarendon single vineyard, 350 metres above the sea level. Terroir composed of decomposed ironstone, quartz, shale and schist. Circa 750 million year old geology sprawls across the vineyard location.

Conditions:
After three dry and warm-to-hot vintages in a row, 2021 was a bit of a relief for local winemakers. Heavy rain in the early growing season gave healthy levels of balanced fruit, with the total crush up 28% from the lows of 2020. After a hot start to the season, the weather cooled in December, avoiding any significant heat spikes. The cooler ripening weather and elevated yields show in the elegance and generous fruit in the wines.

Winemaking:
Low yielding, dry grown vines from the Clarendon region in McLaren Vale were hand-picked and followed by a 60% whole berry, wild yeast fermentation. All pressings were returned to barrel and eventually bottled onsite without fining or filtration after 18 months in French Oak.
Maturation
18 months, within a hierarchy of 1-5 year old tightly grained French Oak. Bottled at the winery with no fining or filtration.

Variety: Shiraz
Region: Blewitt Springs | South Australia | Australia
Size: 750mL
Alcohol Volume: 14%
Standard Drinks: 8.3
CONTAINS SULPHITES
WINE OF AUSTRALIA

Best enjoyed now to 2032. Will reward medium-term cellaring as structure and spice evolve.

Planted in the rocky high reaches of cool climate Clarendon, McLaren Vale the winemaker designed Domaine Clarendon Syrah vineyard utilises single stake vines, reminiscent of northern Rhone vineyards to express the ancient Clarendon terroir with flair and grace. Consistent tasting notes of graphite, iodine, roast meat, black cardamom, chocolate and black olive with blueberry plum fruits on a layered silken palate. This young vineyard of profound pedigree offers a solid introduction to the Clarendon Hills collection. Taste the rocks and listen to their ancient story.

Domaine Clarendon Syrah vineyard was designed and planted by Roman Bratasiuk in 2003. Astralis vineyard cuttings were propagated across a select Clarendon site that spans an 1100 metre width and an 80 metre altitude drop. The 36 acre vineyard also features a major eastern facade that descends in to the ancient Onkaparinga Gorge and sits atop of some of the oldest geology in all of McLaren Vale. The Clarendon location overlooks all of Blewitt Springs and the greater McLaren Vale and St Vincent Gulf vista. A simply magical location that is the embodiment of an enduring dream of Roman Bratasiuk’s to design and create a world class vineyard and further his 33 year pursuit of capturing ultimate terroir expressions across the local sub-districts of Blewitt Springs and Clarendon regions in McLaren Vale.

Single stake, non cordon trellised, 7 foot tall bush vines reflect the ancient terroir of Clarendon sub-region with astonishing constitution. The site is McLaren Vale’s highest altitude vineyard and is located in the coolest part of McLaren Vale on its North Eastern border with the cool climate Adelaide Hills wine region. The site demonstrates a definitive sense of place and exhibits a cool climate Syrah character laced with natural acidity and Asian spices.