Truly a product of an extraordinary Yarra Glen vineyard and a cool vintage, the 2011 Bird on a Wire Syrah is the best that Caroline Mooney has produced. It has a similar flavour profile to the 2010 but it’s more detailed, lithe and precise. Quite a testament to both winemaker and site given the challenges of the year.
There are stalky, mulchy notes on opening but with air the wine pulls itself together confidently. Perfectly ripe, dark forest berry fruits with red cherries riding shotgun. It’s a clever play between those immediately inviting flavours and aromas and the tarry, smoky deli meat aspects that contribute layers to the wine. Silky in the mouth with a vibrant spine of fine acidity and appropriate seasoning; pepper, mace and the like. A little while later some cocoa and earthy beetroot-like dimensions appear. The whole experience is capped off with textured, mineral/graphite like tannin prolonging the finish and refreshing the palate. Decant it for now or try to put some away. It should only get better. 93+ Very Good – Excellent
Region: Yarra Valley
Alcohol: 13.0%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: $40
Tasted: September 2012
Handy having a wine with a mace component, should your dinner date try to foist their unwanted attentions on you, a quick splash of the bottle will sort them right out.
Ha ha
I often detect a little bitter mace in Yarra reds that incorporate whole bunch. Could just be me of course…
You could also smite them with that mace.
But I’m a pacifist GW. Can’t you tell?