Jean-Luc Colombo has forged an international reputation as one of the most visionary and imaginative winemakers in Frances Rhône Valley and especially in Cornas. Les Terres Brûlées (The Burnt Earths) is the prettilest expression of Syrah from the Cornas appellation. From a mixture of 20 to 60 year old vines this wine is a subtle blend I fulfill each year from different plots. The tannins, powerful but elegant, are softened by a well-managed maturation of two years in oak. The wine of intense ruby colour has aromas of raspberry, liquorice, coffee and a long spicy finish. Linger over this wine with a rib roast of beef and dauphinoise potatoes. Will open in 2 to 3 years, but may be cellared for 15 years. Certified Organic. 100% Syrah.

Domaine Gérard Courbis is based in the villages of Mauves, close to the boundary with Cornas, and makes very elegant traditional expressions of Northern Rhône Syrah that have both freshness and perfume, while retaining a lovely savory edge. Courbis Cornas makes a splashy entrance, flashing hints of violet, forest floor, cracked peppercorns and unctuous blueberry. Aromas of zesty blackberry gain intricacies of rose petal and graphite. This bottling embodies a firm core of mineral and persistent spice. The grapes are sourced from the producers younger vines but yet from the steepest slopes, which makes for a rich and ripe wine, with mineral tension and freshness of acidity thats thrilling. Welcoming already, it should develop complexity through the next 10 years and likely further. The wine will flatter any steak you throw on the bbq.

Dont miss this rare chance to secure a magnificent wine from a top producer thats in seriously short supply. Made by an acclaimed winemaker at the top of their game, this is a slice of wine history you dont want to miss. Add it to your collection while you can.

The estate was started in 1955. Patrick and Christophe Bonnefond now control 65 acres in northern Rhone of which 18 acres is in Cote Rotie. Colline du Couzou comes from an assemblage of plots in the north and south of the Cote Rotie appellation. The fruit is 80% dedstemmed and consists of 95% Syrah and 5% Cinsault. The wine is aged in small barrels for 18 months.

A limited production cuvée, from pure Syrah grown on (volcanic) basalt rock on the edge of the Coiron Mountains in the South-Eastern Ardèche in the wider Rhône Region of France. The properties of the volcanic soil hold the heat from the sun, helping get the best from the Syrah vines. The resulting wine is balanced, with powerful aromatics of spice and red fruit, and a texture of soft tannins. This specificity led famous critic and Master of Wine Julia Harding to chose this wine as her wine of the week for JancisRobinson.com, saying that it “combines irresistible fragrance with generous amounts of peppery red and black fruit flavours.”

Its fair to say Luke Lambert hasn't looked back since 'relocating' his Syrah to the Tibooburra vineyard. This southwest sloping site lies in the southeastern corner of the Valley, near Gembrook, and might be the coolest microclimate of the Yarra. The site is expertly managed by Greg Kerr, the grower who planted the vineyard in 2001. The soils here are considered very unusual for the Yarra, comprising a seam of black volcanic topsoil over yellow clay with a smattering of granite rock throughout. Furthermore, the quality of the clonal material in Tibooburra supplies Lambert with deeper and darker Syrah fruit that also has more depth and structure. This is what drew him to the site and a good chunk of the reason the Syrah has become a touchstone example of cool-climate Yarra Shiraz.