2022 Giant Steps Tarraford VIneyard Syrah 750ml

The 2022 Giant Steps Tarraford Vineyard Syrah is a beautifully perfumed and finely structured single-vineyard Syrah from Tarrawarra in the Yarra Valley. This was the first Tarraford Syrah released since 2018 and went on to win the Trophy for Best Shiraz at the 2023 Yarra Valley Wine Show.

Tarraford Vineyard sits at approximately 100 metres elevation in a protected valley with a cooler microclimate than neighbouring sites. Its grey clay-loam soils and varied north, south and east-facing slopes contribute complexity and freshness. The low-yielding 2022 season brought long, slow ripening, producing concentrated fruit with excellent natural acidity and tannin.

The final wine was assembled from two separate Block 4 ferments. Around 70% underwent whole-bunch fermentation for 14 days before completing malolactic fermentation in French oak puncheons, 25% new. The remaining 30% was destemmed, given a longer, cooler fermentation and matured in 2,000-litre foudre for 10 months. After blending, the wine spent another five months in seasoned foudre before being bottled by gravity.

Highly aromatic and expressive, the wine shows dark cherry, blueberry, blackberry and plum alongside white pepper, graphite, dried herbs, floral perfume and exotic spice. The palate is concentrated yet beautifully focused, with fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity providing tension and drive. Floral and spicy notes carry through a long, poised finish, delivering a sophisticated cool-climate expression of Yarra Valley Syrah.

The 2022 Tarraford Vineyard Syrah received 97 points from Philip Rich for Halliday Wine Companion. With its combination of fruit concentration, freshness and fine tannin structure, it is already highly expressive but has excellent potential for further development in bottle.

Technical Details: 13.5% Alcohol | Yarra Valley, Victoria | Single Vineyard Syrah | Screwcap