Schist Syrah, Mullineux 2022

The 2022 Syrah Schist comes from shallower soils than the Iron with smaller canopies and clusters. It was crushed whole-cluster like the other single vineyards but yielded a higher skin-to-juice ratio as the berries are smaller and the skins thicker. This has a lifted, more fruit-driven bouquet with raspberry, briar, white pepper and a touch of gravel. Smooth and poised, the palate is very harmonious on the entry and perhaps more nuanced and complex than the Iron and Granite cuvées toward the finish. It leaves a dusting of cracked black pepper on the aftertaste. Very persistent in the mouth, this is outstanding.

Generally, my favourite of the three soil-specific Syrahs, this comes from a 2.3-hectare site that was planted in 1998. Showing the perfume and texture of a great Cote Rotie, it has fynbos, thyme and tapenade aromas, lots of energy and focus, stylish 50% new oak, granular tannins and wafts of violet and rose petal. Chris and Andrea Mullineux at their wonderful best.