Castagna Genesis Syrah 2010 is a beautifully individual Beechworth red, made by Julian Castagna from biodynamically farmed vines in Victoria's north-east. Genesis is known for combining Rhône-like perfume, dark fruit and firm mineral structure. The 2010 vintage is particularly poised: more restrained than some earlier releases, but no less expressive, with a fascinating savoury detail that has become increasingly rewarding with age.
Tasting Notes
Appearance
Deep ruby-red, with a garnet edge developing as this mature vintage evolves.
Aroma
Blackberry, dark plum and black cherry mingle with violet, aniseed, pepper, dried herbs and warm baking spice. Subtle smoky and earthy notes add complexity, with fruit and savoury detail sitting comfortably together.
Palate
Concentrated but controlled, with ripe dark berries, cherry-stone freshness and a fine mineral tension. The tannins are firm and finely textured, creating a long, focused line rather than overwhelming the fruit. Spice and savoury meat-like characters weave through a generous middle palate, with oak well integrated into the structure.
Finish
Long, savoury and gently peppery, with lingering dark fruit, anise, earth and graphite-like minerality.
Food Pairing & Serving
Serve around 16–18°C with braised lamb, slow-roasted beef, venison, mushroom and lentil dishes or richly flavoured hard cheeses. Mature examples deserve a gentle approach: stand the bottle upright before opening and decant carefully if sediment is present, allowing the aromas time to settle.
Vineyards & Winemaking
Genesis comes from the Castagna family's biodynamically tended Beechworth vineyard. The established approach uses native yeasts and traditional handling to preserve the vineyard's distinctive spicy, mineral Syrah expression.
Critic Reviews
The 2010s are different. It’s like the vines have ticked over into a new phase. Vine age, end of the drought, the season itself.
This is less exuberant than previous releases; more reserved. It’s like there’s an inner confidence at play here; like the wines know they’re good, and don’t feel the need to say it so loudly. There’s still the violetty, spicy, aniseedy perfume. Part of this was matured in a concete egg, so essentially less of the wine has seen oak (slightly). This has a sinewy character that I’ve not seen in Genesis before. Buoyant but not voluptuous. A little more strictness. Castagna’s reds have always been so sexy; there’s a button or two extra been left buttoned here. Long, spicy, meaty finish.
95 points · Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front · 30 November 2012 · Drink 2016–2022+
Castagna Genesis Beechworth Shiraz 2010 (13% alcohol; 96+++ points) The time for rewriting is past. “Impossible to understand,” my notes verbote, “at this its obscene zygotic mystification. Face cream. Blackberry leaf. Carbon and black granite. Tourmaline. Totally barren of sensuality and flesh. Gunbarrells. Not one skerrick of humour. NOT FUNNY AT ALL.”So let that be a lesson to you. My advice is NEVER miss a tasting of Castagna Genesis or anything else from that bonnie vineyard up on the rocky shoulder of Australia itself. Just buy the wine and put it away and hope you don’t die too fast. It is indeed about as good as we get from single vineyard Shiraz. On Earth. If you think I’m wrong, there’s only one reason I can think of. We did this tasting on a root day. Fair dinkum. A root day. We miscalculated. Too much Full Moon.
96+++ points · Philip White
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