Ngeringa 'Sheoak Label' Syrah 2022

Winemaker: Erinn Klein

Grape(s): Syrah

GI: Adelaide Hills (Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia)

Site(s): Ngeringa Iluma Vineyard

Vintage notes: Vintage 2022 was set up by a milder spring and summer with no severe heat spikes or extended hotter periods. Spring and early summer were wetter than usual resulting it good soil moisture and thus requiring only minimal irrigation just before picking. Flowering and set were good, if we don’t compare them to the dream conditions we had for the 2021 vintage! We had a few disease challenges with warm, wet weather, particularly one event where the vines had wet leaves for three days around the 10th of January. Our vine health was good and therefore resilient to these challenging few days. Finally, a long and slow ripening with cool conditions over harvest produced great delicate wines across all varieties.

Vineyard notes: On the northern slope of the Mount Barker Summit, at an altitude of 420m, is the Iluma Vineyard, home of Ngeringa’s “most inspiring and exciting fruit”. The majority of Syrah and Viognier is planted here, facing west on a lean, textured soil of micaceous schist and ironstone over clay on the Nairne terroir (2km from the other Ngeringa sites). This vineyard also is long certified biodynamic with no chemical sprays applied in the vineyards.

Winemaking: About 50% whole-bunch fermented, the remainder; aged in predominantly older French barrels for 10 months before blending in tank and a small addition of Sulphur before bottling.

Closure: Stelvin screw cap

ABV: 13.0%

Tasting notes: A vibrant Syrah featuring lifted perfume of violets, fruit and spice. Light to medium bodied, fruit plum and sour cherries, yet savory and spicy with approachable tannins.

Production size: 530 doz made