Clarendon Hills Astralis Syrah holds its place at the front of the contemporary ultra-fine wine movement. Combining an outstanding vineyard, meticulous winemaking and personal expression, the resulting wine is extraordinary.
Winemaker and former biochemist Roman Bratasiuk was inspired by the classic South Australian wines of the 1950s and 1960s, particularly those of Penfolds. Since purchasing the old Elysium winery at Blewitt Springs in McLaren Vale, he has pioneered the path for contemporary winemakers.
The fruit is derived from 19th-century colonial vine stock originally planted in the 1920s, sourced from Chateau Reynella. The low‑yielding, dry-grown, pre-phylloxera vines are grown in loamy, clay soils. The four-hectare Astralis Vineyard is elevated on a 45-degree slope and faces due east. Once trellised, the vines are now farmed as they grow.
98+ Points Robert Parker Wine Advocate
One of Australia’s most prodigious Syrahs, Clarendon Hills’ 2004 Syrah Astralis is fashioned from vines planted in 1920, and spends time in 100% new French oak from the cooper, Cadus. It boasts off the charts intensity as well as an opaque purple color, and notes of spring flowers, blueberries, blackberries, roasted coffee beans, pepper, smoke, and a hint of sweet toasty oak. This full-bodied, rich, intense, backward Syrah needs 2-3+ hours in the decanter if one is going to approach it at this point in its life. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2040+.