Bird in Hand has released its 2022 Syrah, embodying the essence of the Woodside estate in Adelaide Hills. The vintage marks a departure from the bolder, more opulent Shiraz styles often associated with Australia’s global image, instead presenting as an elegant, age-worthy style that pairs seamlessly with food.
“With our 2022 Syrah, we wanted to showcase the essence of Woodside and its cool climate qualities,” says Sarah Burvill, Bird in Hand’s senior winemaker. “Expect a duality of flavours reflecting a low-intervention winemaking philosophy that emphasises balance, transparency and purity.”
Minimal intervention winemaking rests at the heart of the 2022 Syrah, with quality being the “absolute focus,” Burvill explains. Fruit was harvested early ensuring fresh varietal flavours and excellent acid retention. A significant portion of whole bunches – handpicked and gently destemmed at harvest – were included, while ageing occurred for 16 months in large, tight-grained French oak barrels.
Furthermore, the Woodside estate vineyard and winery was recently accredited by Sustainable Winemaking Australia, a testament to the brand’s dedication to reducing environmental impact.
“As winemakers, we see ourselves as custodians of this unique terroir,” Burvill says. “Our role is to translate its potential.” In doing so, Burvill nods to the environmental factors that helped shape the 2022 vintage: lower-than-average winter rainfall, varied springtime climate, a mild summer and favourable autumn conditions which enabled uniform ripening and preservation of natural acidity.
Aligned with the global shift towards lighter red wine styles, Bird in Hand’s 2022 Syrah exemplifies this trend, marrying elegance with innovation in a way that’s truly distinctive.
“Many vineyards in this special part of the world have the capacity to make these elegant, perfumed styles,” notes Sam Harrop MW, Bird in Hand’s consultant winemaker. “With the Bird in Hand 2022 Syrah, we wanted to celebrate the differences that define the Woodside estate, revealing the immense potential of its cooler climate fruit.”
.jpg){kind=tracking}
