Clarendon Hills 2022 Syrah Cellar Members Release Pack

I don't mind taking my time with the other Clarendon Hills wines today, because all the while, this 2022 Astralis Syrah is opening in the glass. Truth be told, we should probably aim to decant this for a while prior to drinking or, at the very least, get the cork out and let it gently aerate that way, such is the density of fruit and tannin on show here. This inky rendition of Astralis is a lighter, more spacious wine than the 2021 Astralis, which was tightly coiled and firm—although I am excited to see where that wine will go in the future. Here, we have salted licorice, star anise, a hint of cinnamon and loads of black peppercorns, pink as well. There is also arnica, a hint of walnut, raspberry, tobacco, roasted meat crust, blood and drippings. There is a sweet roasted marrow character—straight from the bone—that I love, and this is loaded to the brim with powdery, fine tannins that emphasizes this. The tannins are seamless. What a super wine. It has so much flavor. But it's not a weighty thing; it is substantial but elegant, silty. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under Diam.

98/100

Astralis Syrah 2022, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Erin Larkin, May 2024

- The Wine Advocate, Erin Larkin

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.

I have had many different vintages of the Astralis over time, but it seems to me that the new vintages are finer and more polished than ever. On this visit in June 2022, Roman and Alex opened the 1994—the first vintage of Astralis (in a full, starry, wraparound label, I might add)—alongside the 2017, 2018 and 2020, and it showed as you might expect an old high-quality Rhone to, with notes of truffles, black pudding, star anise, berries and cloves. It was elegant, verging on ethereal—all surprising qualities given the 100% new oak, 100% whole-bunch recipe the wine was made to.

98/100
Astralis Syrah 2020, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Erin Larkin, May 2024

- The Wine Advocate, Erin Larkin

From the farthest western edge of Blewitt Springs, a site that glimpses the ocean and is riddled with ironstone. Gorgeous aromas of salami, pithy black fruit and apricots. Gravely, rocky tannins that ready the mouth for the next glass. An impactful wine of immense refinement and gorgeousness. Among the very finest syrahs tasted this year. Drinkable now, but best from 2028.

97/100
Onkaparinga Syrah 2022, James Suckling, Ned Goodwin MW, February 2024

- James Suckling, Ned Goodwin MW

This is the finest Astralis I've yet tasted. While the cuvée was lauded in the past, it could often be a bit soupy with time in the bottle and hard and oaky when young. The oak has shifted, however, to allow the crystalline fruit to shine. Licorice, iodine, blueberries and thyme, with some white pepper across salty, filigreed tannins. An excellent wine. This site is on a real comeback. Drinkable now, but best from 2030.

96/100
Astralis Syrah 2022, James Suckling, Ned Goodwin MW, February 2024

- James Suckling, Ned Goodwin MW

The 2022 Onkaparinga Syrah is bright and pert—so vibrant, in fact. The fruit is exciting and layered, with loads of tannins (which I love), but I am surprised about the vivacity of the acidity. It threatens to overwhelm the substantial fruit detailing—crispy bacon fat, roasted meat crust (as with the 2021 last year) and lashings of blackberry/raspberry characters. The gently grippy tannins are a highlight for me; they show sumac and star anise, a hint of clove and cracked pink peppercorn. Having just opened a bottle of the 2020 Onkaparinga Syrah at my home this week (dinner, steaks, an assortment of high-quality Australian Syrah ensued), I am well aware of how slowly and gracefully this ages. I believe the wine will settle into its tannic framework and give significant pleasure in the future. 14% alcohol, sealed under Diam.

95/100
Onkaparinga Syrah 2022, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Erin Larkin, May 2024

- The Wine Advocate, Erin Larkin

The 2022 Domaine Clarendon Syrah is all black spice and tannin, crushed rocks and petrichor, minerals and black fruits. An excellent wine, it is elegant, chewy, supple and saturated in fruit flavor yet draped over a pliable framework of chewy tannin. This is a ripper and an unassailably great value at $40 AUD. 14% alcohol, sealed under Diam.

94+/100
Domaine Clarendon Syrah 2022, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Erin Larkin, May 2024

- The Wine Advocate, Erin Larkin

Crafted with cuttings from the esteemed Astralis vineyard. Full-bodied but tingling with energy on the nose. Iodine, black forest berries and scintillating concentration without any sense of being heavy. Tautly wound and explosive. A great curtain opener. Drink or hold.


94/100
Domaine Clarendon 2022, James Suckling, Ned Goodwin MW, February 2024

- James Suckling, Ned Goodwin MW

The 2022 Sandown Syrah leads with a sweet, blackberry nose. It is effusive with aniseed, sweet licorice, a hint of arnica and fresh mint. In the mouth, it is possessed of a deep forest/truffle/lichen character alongside blueberry, char and spice. It is supple, plush and velvety and pure, in its way. I love the tannins: powdery, gravelly and a little chewy. This is savory and good. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under Diam.

94/100
Sandown Syrah 2022, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Erin Larkin, May 2024

- The Wine Advocate, Erin Larkin

Classy oak, blue fruit, pickled orange rind, iodine, salted licorice and bitter herbs. Some reductive tension on the mid-palate, yet the fruit sweeping across the long finish is impressive.

94/100
Sandown Syrah 2022, James Suckling, Ned Goodwin MW, February 2024

- James Suckling, Ned Goodwin MW

The 2022 Liandra Syrah leads with a pronounced gravelly nose of bitumen, black fruit, coal dust, tar and black olive tapenade. In the mouth, the wine is earthy and almost mineral, with a cascade of blueberry and blackberry, arnica and medicinal herbs. It's really an austere wine, in its way; it is incredibly plush as well, but there is the blackness, the earthiness and the sleekness of it. All told, it is austere and tight. An interesting wine, I believe it will age very well. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under Diam.

93/100
Liandra Syrah

- The Wine Advocate, Erin Larkin