Mac Forbes EB Syrah 2015
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Winemaker Notes
Winemaker Austin Black joined the team in 2013 and brought with him a wealth of wine making experience. Having worked in New Zealand at Chard Farm Winery, Austin has focused his experience on cool climate regions developing his knowledge of Pinot Noir, Riesling and Syrah. While New Zealand was the catalyst for this Irishman’s wine making career, he has investigated the practices of the Old World with vintages in both Burgundy and Austria. A keen mountain biker, you will no doubt see Austin navigating the valley on two wheels.
Though Syrah originated in the Rhône Valley of France, Australia is home to the oldest Syrah (called Shiraz here) vines on the planet. Found in Australia’s Barossa Valley, where phylloxera has never threated viticulture, these ancient vines are between 140 to 175 years old!
Having brought fame and merit to the country’s wine scene since the early 1950s, namely via the debut of Penfolds Grange, today Syrah (Shiraz) claims rank as the most widely planted grape in Australia. In fact, the amount of land dedicated to Shiraz in Australia is now almost equivalent to what it is in France. Australian Shiraz has its own personality with flavors and aromas of intense blackberry, fruitcake, menthol, tobacco leaf and umami. Conveniently one can find great Australian Shiraz at a variety of price points but the very best will be dense, gloriously complex and capable of long aging.