Ten Miles East, Syrah, Adelaide Hills, South Australia, 2015

Owned and run by husband and wife team James and Taiita Champniss, you could never truly accuse Ten Miles East of chasing a buck. ‘Our Syrah vines are now so low yielding, that if we were to make a decision based on economics alone, we’d probably rip them out,’ says James. ‘We make one or two barrels a year; that’s it. But the resulting wine? Wow.’ This Syrah is produced from vines grafted over underperforming Carmenere in 2005 and 2006, and the wine is styled to be reminiscent of St-Joseph. Following a cold soak and a wild ferment, it's aged in a combination of new and old barrels. Tina Gellie: Smooth, enticing creamy blackberry fruit is joined by appealing touches of peppery salami and bright acidity on the velvety palate. It's textured, lifted and long, with a firm, tannic frame. Roger Jones: A beautifully gamey, meaty wine with refreshing fruit aromas. The palate has a creamy balance of fruit, with notes of savoury cherries, violets and some lovely textures. Anthony Rose: Pleasingly spicy and ripe, with an accent on espresso coffee and lots of sweet, juicy blackcurrant fruit in a full-bodied framework of grippy tannins and fresh, balancing acidity. Great value!