Streicker Bridgeland Block Syrah 2020
Blend
100% Syrah (Shiraz)
Vineyard
Bridgeland Vineyard, Karridale
Growing
The best blocks are selected from our cool, southern Karridale vineyard. This site features a large water catchment with Mungite and Forest Grove soils.
Winemaking Note
Roughly half the block was hand-picked and de-stemmed, with the berries left uncrushed to preserve the natural fruit perfumes and allow for slow, controlled tannin and flavour extraction. A third of the stalks yielded from the destemming processes were added back to the must to promote extraction of spicier flavours and more savoury fruit characters and textures. 4 days later the other half of the block was hand-picked and de-stemmed, with the berries left un-crushed to preserve the natural fruit perfumes and allow for slow, controlled tannin and flavour extraction. The ferments were kept cold and pumped over twice a day for 8 days. The still-fermenting wines were then gently separated from their skins and allowed to finish ferment in a mix of old and new Burgundian-style oak barrels. The wines were then aged separately in oak for 14 months before bottling.
Vintage Conditions
The 2020 vintage was unforgettable. The region experienced a perfect growing season with warmer than average spring temperatures and ideal summer conditions. Little to no rain, low disease risk and timely flowering of the Marri trees to distract the birds, eased pressure in the vineyard. The relative ease of vintage was in stark contrast to the happenings of the world at the time, with ferocious bushfires ravaging the East Coast and the Covid-19 outbreak unravelling. Yields were down in 2020 resulting in exceptional fruit concentration.
Aroma
Spiced plums, raspberries, red apple skin and cloves.
Palate
A svelte entry of red and black fruits, lifted by tones of white pepper, cracked allspice and dried thyme. Firm yet coating tannins, laced with spice and blossoms culminate in a quenching and floral finish.
Cellaring
This is a fresh drink now style, but can be aged for up to 8 years for added complexity.
Alcohol
14%