Bekkers Syrah Grenache 2020

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

"A blend of 4 sites: Clarendon and Seaview for syrah and 2 sites in Blewitt Springs for grenache, each fermented separately under the aegis of ambient yeast and seasoned with varying portions of whole bunches. Basket pressed to used French wood for a short élévage. As with all of these cuvées, the tannins maketh the wine, so tautly drawn and sanguine are they across a chest of pulpy blue fruits, bergamot, violet and clove. A trail of peppery freshness drives long." 95pts | Ned Goodwin | Halliday Wine Companion