The 2017 Schist Syrah has a much more outgoing bouquet compared to its Granite counterpart, offering ebullient dark cherry, boysenberry and Provençal herb aromas; fennel and star anise emerge with time in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a liberal sprinkling of cracked black pepper and a feisty, open-knit finish. Just thoroughly pleasurable.
Vinous, Nov 2019

Not yet released, the black-fruited 2017 Schist Syrah is compact and dense with notes of blackberry, dark cherry and dusty spiced plum with a complex structure and tight, rocky core. In its youth, the wine is bold and elegant with a chewy tannic line through the mid-palate, ending with a long, textural finish and dense tannic grip that will loosen in time. This wine is as focused as it is delicious. Make no mistake, this is world-class Syrah that has power, longevity and finesse.

Even more savoury than the Granite Syrah. Restrained, dark and peppery. Chalky, chewy dry finesse. More northern Rhône than the Granite Syrah but with the ripeness of Swartland heat. This is all about the texture on the finish. Extreme elegance. (JH)