Bekkers Syrah Grenache 2019

Bekkers has been one of my red wine 'finds' over the past 2 years but they are certainly not everyday drinking at $100+ (no matter how good they are). Not surprisingly the winery specialises in Shiraz and Grenache, and blends of the two.

Without fail I have found the wines to be remarkably smooth, calm and friendly yet clearly have the bones for medium term aging.

"Bekkers brings together 2 high-performing, highly experienced and credentialled business and life partners. Toby Bekkers graduated with an honours degree in applied science in agriculture from the University of Adelaide, and over the ensuing years has had broad-ranging responsibilities as general manager of Paxton Wines in McLaren Vale and as a leading exponent of organic and biodynamic viticulture. Emmanuelle was born in Bandol in the south of France and obtained 2 university degrees, in biochemistry and oenology, before working for the Hardys in the south of France, which led her to Australia and a wide-ranging career, including Chalk Hill." James Halliday

"64/36% syrah/grenache from 6 vineyards, both lower and more elevated, including Blewitt Springs for grenache. With this, sand, ironstone, gravel, loams and various permutations of clay, all contributing. Each site fermented apart, circa 30% whole bunches, in used French puncheons. A limpid mid-ruby. Dashing aromas of kirsch, freshly grated orange zest, pumice, aniseed, clove and nori. Texture the strike force: scrubby herb and beautifully tuned tannins, sopping up any regional sweetness. Not necessarily to subjugate it, but to make it a more transparent reflection of place. A brilliant offering." 94pts | Ned Goodwin | Halliday Wine Companion