North Sydney Cellars

Here are Gary Walsh's and Campbell Mattinson's reviews of the De Bortoli Reserve Release Syrah 2005:

 

"I love this wine but it is pushing the style envelope so far that it needs an international stamp! It is unusual for an Australian shiraz to include about 40% whole bunches but it works well here and I think it adds authority to the wine...

 

Aromas of blackcurrant, raspberry, dark cherry, spice, pepper, game, a hint of capsicum, stalks and pencilly oak. A riot of smells. On the palate just a fraction over medium bodied with blackcurrant, cherry, meat, spice and vanilla flavours. Firm lightly sappy tannins with a fine emery board texture and refreshing balanced acidity. Finishes very long with a slight (but attractive) stalky character. It even gained weight and complexity after being open for a day. It’s a wine that pushes local boundaries and all the right buttons. Controversial perhaps? I find it engaging and ultra-stylish. 94 points" Gary Walsh, Winorama.com.au