2021 Bekkers, Clarendon Syrah

Denne store vin fra en fantastisk enkeltmark "Trueman", som Bekkers har overtaget og genoplivet er høstet 20 marts og vinificeret med 52% hele klaser i åbne gærkar. De resterende druer blev afstilket og kold-macereret i 6 dage inden spontangæring. Efter kurvepresning lagrede vin i to 500 liters franske fade inden tapningen i juli 2022. Clarendon handler om aromatisk elegance og krydderi og ikke så righoldig som vinene fra hjertet af McLaren Vale og denne vin viser enorm høj elegant klasse. Pakket med kirsebær, brombær, peber, lakrids, tjære, kaffe, orientalsk krydderi, rustent krydderi og tjære viser den udtryk, som måske endda næsten kunne tænke på som store Cote-Rotie! Silkepoleret, magisk i balance og friskhed, smyger denne fantastiske ny enkeltmarksvin overtungen med næsten Rhone'sk kanat. Mageløst sat sammen og forrygende frugtdybde, er dette et sublim McLaren Vale udtryk, som hører til de mest bemærkelsesværdige i området. Ultrasjælden men sublim! (-2050) *****

99 points James Halliday: "Only 800 bottles were made with 52% whole bunch, 48% berries, machine sorted, matured in two French puncheons, one new, for 16 months. A wine that defies the laws of gravity, superfine and intense, fresh pure mouth-watering; silky tannins provide the chorus."

98 points Robert Parker Wine Advocate: "The 2021 Clarendon Syrah hails from a Clarendon vineyard that the Bekkers have had a long-term relationship with (called Trueman vineyard). The view from virtually every hilltop in Clarendon drags your eyes down the scope of the rest of McLaren Vale and feels very "of the place” and on top of the world. Early morning, when the mist is still settling in the valleys and along the river, is highly recommended. It is gorgeous, in a nutshell. So, on the nose, this is incredibly aromatic, black like the depth of the night and littered with a splay of characters: potpourri, lavender, rose petals, graphite, coal dust, blackberry, mulberry, raspberry, licorice, clove and star anise. In the mouth, it is velvety in a granular way. I can really feel and interact with the tannins, without any sense of intrusion or domination. The length of flavor allows for a spooling display of the characters, and they really linger and hold in the mouth once the wine has gone. I can still remember it and taste it now, from my first sip at the beginning of this note. This wine is astoundingly good. I really can’t say enough in support of the tannins: ductile, lithe, pluming and black. Savory. 800 bottles filled. $900 per three-pack."