TARDIEU-LAURENT Cuvee Speciale, Chateauneuf-du-Pape

St Hallett Higher Earth Syrah St Halletts Higher Earth Syrah marks a new chapter for a brand known for its bold, unmistakably Barossan Shiraz. This wine, a true Syrah style, is lighter on its toesethereal, evenwith perfume that skips from the glass, and a juicy freshness that calls for drinking, with pleasure, right now. It seeks to represent with purity and grace the high altitude and cool climate of the Eden Valley, a showcase of this unique sub-region.The fruit for Higher Earth comes from parcels in four of St Hallets Eden Valley vineyards. Each parcel is treated individually according to its readiness and maturity. Unlike other St Hallett cuvées, Higher Earth is fermented at cool temperatures to instil vigour and freshness. It is aged in 25% new French oak. The result is a Syrah with lashings of dark fruit flavour and a lick of black pepper spice.

Proudly, a wine style that hasn’t succumbed to the dictates of fashion or commerce. St Henri is rich and plush when young, gaining soft, earthy, mocha-like characters as it ages. It is matured in old, 1,460 litre vats that allow the wine to develop, imparting minimal, if any oak character. Although a small proportion of Cabernet is sometimes used to improve structure, the focal point for St Henri remains Shiraz.