Glenelly, Glass Collection Syrah, 2018

The Glenelly Glass Collection Syrah has a wonderful bright and rich colour with deep purple undertones. The aromas are intense with jasmine, cinnamon and bacon notes coming through. The palate is well balanced and textured with soft round tannins and a pure fruit core shining through which has flavours of white pepper spice, spicy plum and dark berry.

The Glenelly Glass Collection was inspired by the antique glasses in May de Lencquesaing's private collection.

Rain in November and January meant that less irrigation was required, but disease pressure was higher and stricter controls were needed. The high moisture content of the soil resulted in vigorous growth and canopy management was crucial. Fortunately ideal dry and moderate conditions reigned during ripening in late January and February and there was good flowering and berry set. Harvest was one week later than normal due to a late cold winter and cool spring but the quality of the wine is exceptional.

The bunches of Syrah for the Glenelly Glass Collection were sorted and placed whole into the tanks, where the wine was allowed to slowly start fermenting naturally with two to three pump overs a day. Post fermentation they were given three weeks' extended skin contact before being transferred into used French oak barrels for malolactic fermentation. The wine stayed in the barrels for twelve months.

From Jancis Robinson's Purple Pages:

100% whole bunch. Wonderful smoky layer over ripe but very fresh black fruit. Unusually fine, dry tannins, perhaps thanks to the whole-bunch fermentation. Moreish, dark and yet full of energy. Good Value. 16.5 Points

From Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:

The The Glass Collection Shiraz is whole bunch fermented and matured in used cask. The nose is very intense with blackberry and boysenberry mixed with sage and rosemary scents, a slight menthol note developing with time. The palate is medium bodied, reserved at first but with good structure. There is a coolness to this Shiraz, partly because the natural yeast had a low conversion rate so there is plenty of freshness here. This is a well crafted and very natural Syrah. 90 Points

• ❖ ABV: 13.5%