Additional information
| Weight | 1.467 kg |
|---|
Domaine Clarendon Syrah 2024
$45.00 / bottle
Planted in the rocky high reaches of cool climate Clarendon, McLaren Vale the winemaker designed Domaine Clarendon Syrah vineyard utilises single stake vines, reminiscent of northern Rhone vineyards to express the ancient Clarendon terroir with flair and grace. Consistent tasting notes of graphite, iodine, roast meat, black cardamom, chocolate and black olive with blueberry and red plum fruits on a layered silken palate. This now 20 year old vineyard has profound pedigree and offers a solid introduction to the Clarendon Hills Syrah collection. Taste the rocks and listen to their ancient story.
The Domaine Clarendon Syrah vineyard was designed and planted by Roman Bratasiuk in 2003. Our flagship, Astralis Syrah vineyard cuttings were propagated across this select Clarendon site that spans an 1100 metre width and has an 80 metre altitude drop. The site was propagated with single stake vines, a first for McLaren Vale. The 36 acre vineyard features a major eastern facade that descends in to the ancient Onkaparinga Gorge and sits atop of some of the oldest geology in all of McLaren Vale dated 700-1600 million years of age. The Clarendon location overlooks all of Blewitt Springs and the greater McLaren Vale and St Vincent Gulf vista. A simply magical location that is the embodiment of an enduring dream of Roman Bratasiuk’s to design and create a world class vineyard and further his 37 year pursuit of capturing ultimate terroir expressions across the local sub-districts of Blewitt Springs and Clarendon regions in McLaren Vale.
Single stake, non cordon trellised, 7 foot tall bush vines reflect the ancient terroir of Clarendon sub-region with astonishing constitution. The site is McLaren Vale’s highest altitude vineyard and is located in the coolest part of McLaren Vale on its North Eastern border with the cool climate Adelaide Hills wine region. The site demonstrates a definitive sense of place and exhibits a cool climate Syrah character laced with natural acidity and Asian spices.
Specifications
RegionRegion
Clarendon, McLaren Vale: 10 kms N/E of McLaren Vale, South Australia. Domaine Clarendon Syrah vineyard is a 36 acre single vineyard located at 350 mtrs above sea level in Clarendon. The vines are single stake, Astralis cuttings drilled in to ancient rock. This vineyard is the highest altitude vineyard in McLaren vale. Vines planted in 2003.
Conditions
Wet and humid growing conditions in 2023 persisted throughout the year and continued in to the Spring time and Summer that preceded the 2024 harvest. The warm and wet conditions encouraged the Old Vine Grenache vineyards to shoot many buds and all Grenache sites were 25% heavier than usual. Slightly heavy crops were relatively behind ripening schedule in Summer but the clearing of the wet conditions in 2024 mid January lead to fantastic ripening period across late January to March. Large healthy bush vine canopies pulled the fruit in to line and their voluminous sizes protected the large berry bunches from the hot Summer heat. Hand harvesting occurred in mid March after a prolonged ripening period from veraison. The arriving fruit was exquisite with deep flavours and bountiful volumes. A rare combination of great yield and also exceptional quality. The 2024 growing season suited Grenache and the quality is evident in the collection of delicious 2024 wines.
Winemaking
Low yielding, dry grown vines from the Blewitt Springs region in McLaren Vale were hand-picked and followed by a 30% whole berry, 100% de-stemmed, wild yeast fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Maceration periods before and after Primary Fermentation before being pressed. A proportion of pressings returned to barrel and matured for the next 18 months in high end French Oak, some of which was brand new but mainly in seasoned vessels. The wine was bottled onsite without on th Clarendon Hills estate bottling line without fining or filtration.
Maturation
18 months, within a hierarchy of 1-5 year old tightly grained French Oak. Bottled at the winery with no fining or filtration.
Grape Variety
100% single stake Syrah vines, vines planted in 2003
Closure
DIAM
Production
6000 bottles
Winemaker
Roman Bratasiuk
A cool year and philosophical evolution have produced a relatively elegant syrah suite in '23. And this is a fine entry point, sketching out the style. A lovely perfume here, with cool boysenberry, violet, iodine, black leaf tea, nori, lilac and blackberry pastille. It’s compact on the palate, clocking in at modest alcohol and with a general sense of savoury mid-weighted ease. It’s a very charming and detailed expression.
94/100
Domaine Clarendon Syrah 2023
- Wine Companion, Marcus Ellis June 2025
The 2023 Domaine Clarendon Syrah leads with asphalt and hung deli meat, peppercorns, blackberries and licorice. On the palate, the fine tannins serve as a supple reminder of the power of McLaren Vale Shiraz/Syrah, which trails out over the long finish. For an "entry-level" wine, this sure offers an impressive value proposition. It's a superb wine for the price, hard to beat it. 13% alcohol, sealed under Diam.
93/100
Domaine Clarendon Syrah 2023
- Wine Advocate, Erin Larkin May 2025
Layers of dark fruit and spices with aromas of black olives, graphite and violets. The palate is full-bodied with fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. Seamless, refined finish. A delightful wine and a great value. Drink or hold.
94/100
Domaine Clarendon Syrah 2023
- James Suckling, Ryan Montgomery June 2025
