Clarendon Hills Domaine Clarendon Syrah 2021 is a cool climate, single vineyard Syrah from Clarendon, McLaren Vale’s highest altitude sub-district at 350 metres above sea level. Planted in 2003 using Astralis vineyard cuttings on single stake, non-cordon trellis vines, the wine expresses the ancient ironstone and quartz terroir of Clarendon with graphite, iodine, roast meat, black cardamom, chocolate and black olive alongside blueberry and plum fruit on a layered, silken palate. The 2021 vintage, awarded 93 points by James Suckling, reflects a cooler and more generous season — compressed and taut, with the structure to reward patience.
Nose
A whiff of reduction leads before forest, spruce and red and blue fruit accents tumble across the glass. Graphite, iodine, black cardamom and black olive with blueberry and plum.
Palate
Layered and silken with licorice tannins, compressed and taut at the finish. Fine-grained structure with dark fruit, spice and savoury McLaren Vale character. Best from 2025.
Reviews & Scores
93/100 — James Suckling (Ned Goodwin MW)
“A whiff of reduction defines the nose before forest, spruce and red and blue fruit accents tumble across licorice tannins. It’s compressed and taut at the end. Perhaps less accessible than the sumptuous ’22s, but a very fine opening act all the same. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.”
Winemaking
Hand-picked. 60% whole berry, wild yeast fermentation. All pressings returned to barrel. 18 months in 1–5 year old tightly grained French oak. Bottled without fining or filtration. Closure: DIAM.
Vineyard & Region
Clarendon, McLaren Vale. 350 metres above sea level, 15km north-east of McLaren Vale town centre. Terroir of decomposed ironstone, quartz, shale and schist — circa 750 million year old geology. The 36 acre vineyard spans an 1,100 metre width and 80 metre altitude drop, with a major eastern facade descending into the ancient Onkaparinga Gorge. Astralis vineyard cuttings were propagated across the site by Roman Bratasiuk in 2003. Single stake, non-cordon trellised vines.
Vintage Conditions
After three dry and warm-to-hot vintages in a row, 2021 brought heavy early season rain, a hot start that cooled in December, and no significant heat spikes. Cooler ripening weather and elevated yields produced wines of elegance and generous fruit.
Cellaring
Drink from 2025 to 2033. Rewards cellaring and will continue to develop complexity over 8–10 years from vintage.
