Bekkers McLaren Vale Syrah 2021

98 POINTS

Matt Walls - Decanter

Mulberry and blackberry fruit, vanilla pod, incense, nutmeg and tobacco. Medium-bodied, peerless finesse for a McLaren Vale Syrah. Long, tapered, elegant finish. Absolutely wonderful wine, great energy and fine-sand minerality. Reminiscent of a Côte-Rôtie from La Viallière. Single vineyard, 50% whole bunch, hand-picked and sorted, basket pressed to barrel, 50% new, for 22 months.

96 POINTS

Ned Goodwin - JamesSuckling.com

A new cuvee at this lauded address, drawing on fruit from the elevated, ironstone soils of Clarendon, the equivalent of a regional Grand Cru, together with the celebrated Blewitt Springs. I frequently prefer Clarendon due to its ferrous, more authoritative tannic kit. Floral and exotic. Think charcuterie, star anise, blueberries and violets. Full-weighted, yet detailed, immaculate and uncannily fresh. A plume of clove, lavender and pepper grind lather pixelated tannins across a sweeping finish, becoming increasingly reductive. All class. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.

95 POINTS

Ned Goodwin - JamesSuckling.com

Sourced from elevated Clarendon (41%) and a single parcel in Seaview (59%). Hand-picked and judiciously sorted. Fermented wild and pressed to 500L French oak (47% new), this is a gorgeously textured, rich and powerful wine that nevertheless – as is the wont here – remains very light on its feet. Aromas of dried kelp, violets, blue and black berries, forested pine-like notes and raspberry bonbon, all slathered with molten licorice. Exceptional thrust of fruit intensity and parry of tannins, grape and oak. Built for the long haul.