2021 Bekkers Syrah

Powerful and rich with lush, concentrated fruit framed by a sturdily built tannin structure.

Fruit was sourced from the McLaren vale sub regions of Clarendon and Seaview with 28% whole bunches utilised in the fermentation process. Maturation took place in a mixture of new (47%) and older (53%) French oak puncheons (500L).
Impenetrable inky black in colour with a very deep dark red black hue. Pronounced pepper infused aromas of dark plum and liquorice emanate from the glass followed by some smoked meat, earth, dried herb and subtle fennel notes. Rich, concentrated dark plum, liquorice and blackberry fruits are lush and supple upon entry. Notions of scorched earth, fennel, dried meats and blackpepper lurk underneath. Outstanding power with a sturdily built tannin structure that shows great polish. Concludes very long and sumptuous with plenty of spice.
Drink over the next 8-10 years.
Alc. 14%

Other Reviews….
Deep, bold, bright red-purple colour with essency aromas of black fruits, blackberry/blackcurrant, the flavours bold and primary, full-bodied, rich and generous, with traces of star anise and licorice, poised high on the ripeness scale but certainly gets away with it. Opulent and hedonistic, a full-bodied and plush shiraz that already drinks superbly and should have a long career.
97 Points
The Real Review

You can’t do much Bekkers than this.
This is a full-bodied red wine with complexity served neat and structure planted firm. It’s as commanding as it is beguiling. It tastes of blue and black berries, licorice, seaweed, smoked-liquid-cedar and toast, and while I think there’s some positive reduction at play here too it’s difficult to tell; it may just be the way the smokiness of the oak has teamed with the seaweed-side of the fruit. No matter. The effect is mesmerising; the cups of flavour runneth into sheets of brilliant, mineral-strewn tannin, atmospheric smoke on the rise, all manner of goings on rumbling in the background. It’s a wonderful wine. Drink 2025-2035+
96 Points
Campbell Mattinson – The Wine Front

The 2021 Syrah is supple, dark and spicy, and gives me all the detail and presence I was hoping for from the excellent 2021 vintage. The tannins in the mouth emphasize the black fruit, and it pulls together as a seamless, cohesive whole, even at this very young/early stage in its life. This is much more open-weaved and approachable than the Clarendon Syrah tasted next to it. Perhaps this speaks more of attraction and seduction up front. The fruit is sourced from three parcels—41% Clarendon (with one parcel at 194-242 meters above seal level) and 59% Seaview (with one parcel at 102-110 meters above seal level). You can see from the elevations that the Clarendon area is hilly and elevated (and beautiful!)—this is obvious when you visit. There was around 30% whole bunches in the mix this year, and it had a wild ferment and matured in French oak puncheons (500 liters, 47% new) until bottling in December 2022. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink 2023-2043.
95+ Points
Erin Larkin – Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate