The 2021 Homage Syrah is fine and detailed, with pure fruit on the mid-palate, shaped by a diaphanous web of tannin, which provides structure and length through the finish. The weighty bottle suggests the wine might land with an audible thud, yet it carries levity and grace in equal measure. The tannins through the finish expose the austere terroir for all to see. Gorgeous wine. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

Gimblett Gravels. Fruit from the oldest vines on the property, averaging 25–30 years of age. Grapes are hand-harvested, destemmed and fermented in small open-top fermenters with a large proportion of whole berries and 30% whole clusters. 75% of the wine was aged in 54% new French oak barriques for 18–21 months. The remaining 25% was matured in seasoned 5,400-litre French oak ovals. Dark garnet. Smells of blackberry and iodine. Juicy, powerful flavours of blackberry and black cherry are wrapped in a tight, muscular fist of tannins that stiffens as juicy blackcurrant and citrus-peel flavours linger mouth-wateringly on the palate. Powerful but balanced, with a very nice equilibrium and amazing freshness. Some bottle age will improve this wine, but it is tasting very nicely at the moment. (AY)