The fruit for the Sami-Odi 2017 Syrah ‘Hoffmann Dallwitz’ originates from the abundant and somewhat belated 2017 growing season and is a relaxed and plush expression of the Hoffmann families oldest plants. Its supple nature yields pleasure now whilst its old vine genetics provide an ample build for extended cellaring. From the two oldest blocks from the famed Hoffman-Dallwitz vineyard, a not too dissimilar recipe to the 2015 release of this wine.
“A moist season by any standard” quips vigneron Fraser McKinley, “every time I went out into the vineyard it seemed like everything was getting bigger and bigger, crops and flavour”.In regards to the minutiae of the Little Wine versus this single vintage wine, “this is of course simpler. For a start instead of looking at 90 components I’m looking at about half that. The idea is I am looking for the 44 barrels from 2017 and trying to work out what is the best representation of 2017 as a vintage. I plod around and second guess a lot. In my way we put the best foot forward in blending the wine, but in the end, I end up blending my best experiences from the season, [I’ll battle with your question for the rest of the day], it’s often best barrels by my judgement, but also the overall feel of the experiences of season”. Going deep.
Wine Front interview with Fraser McKinley Review "This ended up as a blend of 19 barrels from some 40-odd. Brooding, moody, rich yet savoury red of great depth, length, assertion. No hiding from the bold perfume that sets off with sweet-turned earth, undergrowth, ripe plum, black olive and a lift of floral things. Courses through the palate; a march of berry and blood, a fight with a blackberry bush, brambles and all. It’s sweet-edged, a sarsaparilla character meets salted plum meets juicy currants. It shows that richness of fruit from lazy days in sunshine on dense earth, but seems to lift on a sluice of cool acidity and keep drinkability in tune. Soft ribbons of tannin shape the wine’s overall feel. Luscious and harmonious wine of great regional-parish-vineyard expression."
95 Points - Mike Bennie, The Wine Front, January 2019, Drink: 2019 - 2030+
