I reckon Luke Lambert has pulled a rabbit out of his hat with this 2011 Syrah. It has all the perfumed prettiness that marks the better 2011 Yarra Valley reds but it also has presence. I won’t call it weight or depth. It’s something other than that. Presence will have to do.
Red cherries – some sour – rub shoulders with brambly fruits, expressive violets and lavender, smoke and pan juices. Vegetal whole bunch characters are balanced. These Syrahs always have vivid acidity and that’s the case here as well but give it a decant, a few days or a stint in the cellar and it tucks itself neatly in, keeping the wine lively without detracting from the texture. It’s all kinds of spicy; pepper, cardamom, star anise and cumin. Complexing suggestions of bracken and herb crusted beef. Fairly prances across the palate. Energy, complexity and grace. 94 Excellent
Region: Yarra Valley
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Diam
Price: $38
Tasted: May 2013
Super keen to try this. Sounds excellent for my tastes.
I’ll be very interested to see what others make of it. As for me, I’m sold. I’ll happily lay some down along with the 2010 and probably the 2012 when it’s released.
LOVE this vintage of it. Prefer it to the 09 which I recently reviewed (and enjoyed). I’d be at 94/95 pts
I saw your review and silently questioned the wisdom of passing on the 2009. 2006 and 2010 are my favourite vintages so far and I have them at 95/96…so by default this had to settle for a lowly 94
This sounds right up my alley too – am loving the aromatics and spicy nimbleness of some of the 2011 shiraz & pinot from the Yarra…
You’re not alone, I can assure you
But I think I’ll keep right away :). Just stirring … That said, I struggle with this style of Shiraz … um … Syrah. I’ve often bought bottles of Yarra Shiraz on location, but I generally wonder “why, oh, why didn’t I buy more Chardonnay or Pinot or Cabernet” when I get home.
MichaelC
Yes, I wouldn’t hand-pick this one for you Michael. But we agree on Yarra Cabernet, Chardonnay and Pinot…in a general sense