2016 Riversdale Estate Syrah, $36
The producers of this Tasmanian Shiraz – or Syrah as they prefer to call it – describe it as “a Shiraz for Pinot Noir lovers – a wine with freshness, verve and elegance, unencumbered by noticeable oak and firm tannins”. It won a gold medal at the Tasmanian Wine Show earlier this year, the judges noting that “Shiraz just keeps getting better in Tassie.” A decade or so ago, Tasmanian Shiraz was regarded almost as a flight of fancy; these days, more and more growers are trialling it. Today’s consumer wants more light- to medium-bodied red wine, and Tasmania is well placed to deliver this. The Riversdale Estate Syrah was described as “a delicious nouveau style” by the Tasmanian show’s chairman of judges, Huon Hooke. In other words, it is medium-bodied, fresh and vibrant, a little bit spicy/savoury, with fine tannins and a touch of oak. This is Riversdale Estate’s premium wine brand and definitely one to keep an eye out for.
