Uses declassified Broken Press grapes. Screw cap. Medium-high intensity aromas of freshly cracked black peppercorn, purple flower, dark berry, dark fruit and blackberry notes. The palate is full-bodied with sour cherry, blackberry, pepper, dark fruit and subtle oak flavours with some meatiness underneath. Tannins are medium+ firm, integrating well but still a touch tight. Acids are refreshing, while the finish length is very good and shows some earthiness. Tasted June/2017.

A lean, cool climate syrah, with tart blackberry fruit and hints of herbs and pepper bolstered by a fair whack of vanilla from 20 months in French oak. 2014 was a cool vintage which explains the tart slightly under-ripe flavours here. A good effort, no doubt, but one that again underlines the question I have on the Bordeaux and Rhone red varieties in Niagara. Why bother growing them when they only fully ripen about 6 out of 10 vintages? Tasted Dec 2018.