2022 Vignerons Schmolzer & Brown Thorley Syrah

Vignerons Schmölzer & Brown is the partnership of winemaker-viticulturist Tessa Brown and architect Jeremy Schmölzer, crafting wines from high-altitude vineyards in Beechworth and the King Valley. Their estate vineyard, Thorley, sits over 700m ASL and is farmed with organic practices in all but the most challenging years. Working with minimal intervention, they focus on purity, balance, and drinkability. The range includes single-site wines from Thorley, Brunnen, and Obstgarten, as well as their approachable Prêt-à series.

The inaugural Shiraz from Vignerons Schmolzer & Brown’s home vineyard in Beechworth’s highest reaches. Planted in 2014 on cool, north-facing slopes, Thorley’s climate delivers late-ripening fruit with naturally high acidity. This is a true cool-climate Syrah—dark-fruited, perfumed, and spice-laden, with olive brine, violets, and white pepper on the nose. Expect blackberry compote, layered silty tannins, and a fine, peppery length—Northern Rhône elegance with a distinctive Beechworth twist.
Alc. 12.5%

Other Reviews....
So good on so many levels. Delights the senses with its vision of a fragrant, elegant, spice-laced syrah showcasing the beauty of a leading cool-climate region. Complex in toasted spices, pepper, red cherry, plum, and briar running long across a smoothly textured, well-composed palate. Great balance. The cork with the words 'fidus in silvis silentibus' – faith in the silent forests – relates to the theories of Viktor Schaiberger, Austrian naturalist and philosopher. Drink 2024-2034.
96 Points
Jeni Port - Halliday's Australian Wine Companion

There’s lots going on here. Earth, twigs, smoke, meaty pan juices, porcini mushroom, dark cherry, autumn leaves, forest floor and pink peppercorn. So invitingly savoury. This is an umami laden treat that’s hard to pull away from! The palate has trademark lift and glide in a medium bodied spectrum. Dark cherry, subtle mushroom and earth with a sappy edge. The finish is so finely spun with everything wrapped up in a vein of fine, integrated tannins and dark cherry drenched acidity. A long, even and clean finish. So little of this wine is about fruit, and it’s so damn good. Another classy, fine and brilliantly complex release from VS&B.
95 Points
Tom Kline - WinePilot.com