Mullineux Syrah

Mullineux's 2013 Syrah includes about 80% whole bunch fruit as it was a cool year from seven different vineyards (five schist, one granite and one on ferrous soils). It has a blackberry and cranberry leaf-scented bouquet, and a pleasant herbal note with rose petals coming through. The palate is medium-bodied with a cool exterior and it is full of tension, and quite linear with blackberry, a touch of mint and cedar with a structured, almost Cornas-like finish. I think the whole-bunch works really well here, although it will benefit from 3-5 years in bottle. Readers should note that in 2013 this bottling includes the Granite Syrah that the Mullineux's felt would benefit the overall blend.