2021 Thousand Candles Syrah

97 POINTS

Philip Rich - Halliday Wine Companion

Whole bunches (80%), natural yeast ferment, no plunging or pump overs. Three weeks on skins before six months' maturation in older French oak. A saturated crimson purple. With its aromas of black raspberries, cherries, whole-bunch derived potpourri and violets, this reminds me of good St Joseph from the northern Rhône. There's excellent intensity and concentration on the palate, too, without any heaviness before finishing long, grippy tannins ensuring a prosperous life ahead.

96 POINTS

Philip Rich - Halliday Wine Companion

Natural fermentation with 20% whole bunches, matured in older French oak. A super-bright crimson purple. Fully deserving of its gold medal at the 2022 Yarra Valley Wine Show, this opens with aromas of blackcurrant pastilles, boysenberries, black pepper, floral notes and a little charcuterie. Just as good on the medium-bodied, youthful and very well-balanced palate, which finishes with gently chewy, very fine-grained tannins and a little spice.

94 POINTS

Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front

There’s such finesse to the tannin here, such restraint to the oak, such an even glide to it all. It takes a little while to unfold in the glass and there’s a smidgen of reductive funk but there’s an intricacy here that is beguiling. It brings out the cherry plums, the whispers of creamy vanilla, and the sweet spice-and-nut notes but simultaneously it presents as one and it presents beautifully. Give it some time. Allow it to settle. It’s a good one.

91 POINTS

Angus Hughson - Vinous

The charismatic 2021 Shiraz Gathering Field is enticing thanks to its layers of clove, star anise and licorice allsorts. Lightweight and gently powered yet also charming, stalky influences provide a savory finish.