2022 Giant Steps Tarraford Vineyard Syrah

Every four or five years or so, when the vintage allows it, Giant Steps produces a gorgeous, medium-bodied Syrah from their iconic Tarraford Vineyard in the Yarra Valley. Awarded a Gold Medal and the Trophy for Best Shiraz at the 2023 Yarra Valley Wine Show, the 2022 release is an absolute knockout!

Tarraford Vineyard, situated in the central Tarrawarra area of the Yarra and with these vines happily residing on its northern slopes, creates an elegant style of Syrah that looks much more like something from the Northern Rhone than from most of Australia. 

2022 was a challenging season in the Yarra, but despite a cool, wet spring and low yields, the dry, warm summer allowed for slow ripening, resulting in concentrated flavours but still with the region's typical vibrant acidity. This wine blends two ferments from Block 4. Seventy per cent whole bunch fermentation in French oak puncheons (25% new) gives structure and depth, while the remaining 30% destemmed fruit, aged in large foudre, adds finesse and brightness. The components were then blended and matured in seasoned foudre for integration.

Aromatically it's extremely floral and spicy, while the palate is medium-to-full-bodied with layers of blackberry, plum, and spice, balanced by fresh acidity. It's just a beautifully poised and delicious, modern Yarra Syrah, and great from the get-go or in the cellar for up to a decade.

97 points
"A medium, bright, crimson purple. The first Tarraford syrah since '18, this promptly won the Trophy for Best Syrah at last year's Yarra Valley Wine Show. Aromas of dark cherries, blueberries and graphite, with the viognier adding some exotic allspice and incense notes. Concentrated, tightly focused and beautifully balanced. Impressively long on the floral-infused finish. Super wine."
- Philip Rich (Halliday Wine Companion)

96 points, Gold Medal + Trophy (Best Shiraz)
- 2023 Yarra Valley Wine Show