This wine forms part of Clarendon Hills’ ‘Grand Cru’ classification.
Earthy, savoury fruited and controlled. It has a deep layering of Kalamata, cigars, espresso and black truffle - within a defined blue-fruited spectrum. It also offers a sublime creaminess along an evolving expression.
Perfume with a waxy, rounded component typecasts this vineyard. The aroma elevation in the glass is distinctly lower than its Grand Cru siblings. Recessed intensity and mid-palate positioning makes for a beautifully centered focus and it forms an axis of length and weight. The Brookman Syrah is for those who enjoy subtlety and softness. This vineyard's best years are displayed after cellaring for 5-10 and thereafter for 15-20.
Floral edge to creamy black and blue berried fruit‐ rugged roast meat, bacon fat, tea bag, peat, liquorice and spice are speckled within the low, earthy elevation of perfume.
The full penthouse view; a majestic depth of flavour in tannin on the silky smooth finish. The most creamy of its Hickinbotham and Onkaparinga Syrah sisters; the polished and refined texture is addictively weighted and sublimely structured.
Old, dry grown 83 y/o vines are hand picked thereby culturing whole berry, wild yeast fermentation. This increases the retention of the grape’s varietal essence and minimises bitter tannin extract. All pressings are returned to the barrel and bottled onsite without fining or filtration.
18 months, 85% brand new, tight-grained French Oak. 15% hierarchy of 1-4 year old barrels. Barrels are finally hand selected by winemaking team.
The 2006 vintage in Clarendon is best surmised as a Mediterranean finish to what was otherwise a typical Australian summer. The earlier onset of Autumnal coolness slowed ripening towards the end of the harvest season and enhanced colour development and enriched skin thickness ensued. The Brookman vineyard is dry grown in heavy clay soils. Hand picking took place over several passes to ensure optimal ripeness of the fruit.
This vineyard was planted in 1965 in rich, chocolate-brown clay soils. It produces cabernet, merlot and syrah varieties which all exhibit sweet, chocolate, earthy characteristics.
Don't Pay: $115
WBW Rating: 94/100
Closure: Cork
Region: Clarendon, SA
Winemaker: Roman Bratasiuk
Drink now until: 2025
Alc/Vol: 14 %
