Benevolent Neglect Syrah, 2019. ABV 14.1%, 750ml

Dark berries, purple flowers, hints of tea leaves and black olives. Not a big fruit bomb of California, but more typical of an elegant and restrained Syrah from Rhone Valley

Made in only the best vintages, the Whole Cluster Syrah has an invigorating nose of violets, black olives, both fresh and tapenade and sweet loose leaf tea. Squashy mulberries, with a surprisingly lithe, blue and black fruited palate with a dark spiced element - dark chocolate dipped orange peel and pot pourri. Exceptionally smooth and complete, even at this young age. Lavish and lingering.

Matt and Ben, the two immensely talented boys behind Benevolent Neglect have landed something of a coup to secure the backing the Las Madres growers. It all started when they met John Painter and Jean Gadiot, who have owned the Las Madres vineyard since its inception. To give a little history, John and Jean converted overgrown pasture land into what is now the Las Madres site - a beautiful VSP trellised, cool-climate Syrah vineyard with two distinct blocks, amongst a sea of Chardonnay and Pinot. This site is a serious labour of love, farmed entirely by hand and organically, with minimal to no irrigation.