Wild Rock Syrah Angels Dust Res 07

Craggy Range is one of our favourite producers of Syrah. Over the years, they have pulled back on the extreme styles and attained harmony of expression of grape and place. The superlative ‘Le Sol’ shows this evolution, as do the other labels flowing from Craggy Range. The ‘Wild Rock’ label sits aside from Craggy Range, but there is no denying its familial heritage. The ‘Angels Dust’ Syrah shares the dense black-purple colour, ripe black pepper and black cherry nose, and sweet liquorice and coffee flavours that are evident in Craggy’s ‘Block 14’ and ‘Le Sol’ wines. It shares the same density and concentration which speaks of the Gimblett Gravels. However, this is ‘tamed’ to enable instant gratification and enjoyment. The wine has 2% Viognier and 2% Malbec to add breadth, softness, freshness and lift. Still full-bodied at 13.2%, the wine carries the signature mocha oak component, from 12 months in 25% new French oak, that sits so comfortably alongside the terroir expression. But the overall package is one of rich drinkability. This is a wine that is guaranteed to please over the next 5 years.  RC Jan 10

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