Ochota Barrels Where's The Pope? Syrah

Organically grown by Rino in the Onkaparinga Hills, this Syrah comes from schist and clay soils and was the first pick of the vintage, harvested on a gorgeous cool summer day by a small crew after a long day in the vineyard. Fermented for 14 days on skins with 45% whole bunch, it was then matured in five-year-old Chassin hogsheads before bottling.

Full of flavour and carrying more weight than the previous vintage, it is lush and generous yet retains the elegance and freshness that make it so appealing. Black olive tapenade and crushed autumn leaves lead into a rounded, savoury palate with lovely depth and texture. The ferment was remarkably steady and calm, allowing the fruit to shine through with effortless character.

A deliciously individual Syrah from Ochota Barrels, with its suitably rebellious name borrowed from an old-school Adelaide hardcore punk band.