2018 Clarendon Hills Astralis Syrah

$500.00 / bottle

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Clarendon Hills Astralis Syrah 2018 big

2018 Clarendon Hills Astralis Syrah

$500.00 / bottle

The 2018 Clarendon Hills Astralis Syrah release offers both collectors and connoisseurs alike an opportunity to witness a legend in the making. The Astralis Syrah vineyard has been captured by legendary winemaker Roman Bratasiuk over the last 30 years and this is one of the very best releases. Roman has pushed his belief that this is one of the greatest single vineyards in the world to the n’th degree. This is an old vine, single vineyard discovered by Roman Bratasiuk in 1990 that has become consistently the highest scoring wine in McLaren Vale. Hand picked and wild yeast fermented the wine is matured in the highest quality French Oak for 18 months before being bottled at the winery by the very same team that made it. Majesty, elegance and seamless power are some of the most enduring comments on the Astralis, who’s name comes from a reference to the night sky. Astralis is defined as a celestial body and or pertaining to the stars. Prestigious Australian wine company Langtons ranks Astralis amongst its highest echelon, the ‘Exceptional’ category alongside the iconic Grange and Hill of Grace wines. The wine has received numerous high praise with 2 recent perfect 100 point scores and also 10 other vintages that are near perfectly scored with a 98 or 99 point score

Specifications Reviews

Additional information

Weight 1.467 kg

Specifications

Region

Region

Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale: 10 kms N/E of McLaren Vale. 250 metres above sea level. High altitiude Blewitt Springs site above the sands. Terroir composed of sandy loam on alluvial clay pebbled with decomposed ironstone, quartz, shale and schist. Circa 750 million year old geology sprawls across the vineyard location.

Conditions

Conditions

Idyllic growing conditions with above average crop levels were recorded in 2018 harvest. Bunch thinning was almost looking a certainty to realign the balance of the vines’ concentration however thick vine canopies pulled the fruit in back to line and all fruit was subsequently evenly ripened and every bunch looked exceptional upon arrival at the winery. 2018 vintage is an exceptional vintage and high quality can be seen right across the board with entry level wines and icons alike enjoying one of the best years on record..

Winemaking

Winemaking

Low yielding, dry grown, pre-phylloxera vines planted in 1920 are grown in loamy, clay soils. Hand picking took place over several passes to ensure optimal ripeness of the fruit. Partial whole berry and whole bunch, wild yeast fermentation. Open vat primary with varied maceration periods All pressings returned to the barrel.

Maturation

Maturation

18 months. 100% brand new, tight-grained French oak. Barrels are finally hand selected by winemaking team. Bottled onsite without fining or filtration.

Grape Variety

Grape Variety

100% Syrah, single vineyard, old vines

Closure

Closure

DIAM

Production

Production

6000 bottles

Winemaker

Winemaker

Roman Bratasiuk

If you could drink this 2018 Astralis Syrah all day, by god you would. I mean, I would. The oak feels imperceptible, which I discover is adapted depending on the concentration of the year. This 2018 was matured in 40% new oak, and you wouldn’t know it. The tannins are chewy and pliable, and the fruit that resides within it is striking. A wine of poise. Clarity. Delicacy.

- Wine Advocate, Erin Larkin

“From a great vintage, this has aromas of violets and blueberries with cocoa powder and an array of fragrant spices that offer so much interest already. There’s an earthy edge, as well as forest wood and blackberries. More to come. The powerfully defined tannins are commanding and composed and carry ripe blackberries and dark plums very long. The wine feels so complete already. Very drinkable now and for many years ahead. Try from 2026.” James Suckling 98/100

- James Suckling

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