2022 Striato
Striato (formerly known as ‘Spice Garden’) refers to striations, or long narrow abrasions on rock, created by the movement of a glacier. It reminds us of the 600+ million year old geological history of this land.
Estate grown and made
Certified organic and biodynamic fruit
[VARIETIES] 100% Shiraz
[ALC] 13.5%
[PRODUCTION] 111 dozen
[CELLARING] 10+ years
The artist formerly known as 'Spice Garden' is now known as Striato Shiraz. It's 90% Polygon 10 (limestone and schist) and 10% Polygon 1 (quartzite and schist), fermented and matured in concrete, 80% whole bunches, from a smokin' Barossa vintage ... a long 'happy' vintage, according to Amelia. Purple-splashed crimson with vibrant plum, blueberry, boysenberry and cranberry fruit tones with hints of exotic spice, purple floral top notes, warm earth, licorice and panforte. No oak needed with a concrete-fermented calmness coming through in the wine, the fruit the star, gorgeously pure and composed with a schisty tannin profile and vivid limestone pulse, sapid and long. Stunning stuff.
97 Points, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
You can put the limestone and the shist together (the rocks and the rocks together work); you can put the schist and the clay together; but you cannot put the limestone and the clay together. The clay will dominate," says winemaker Amelia Nolan. "As far as we and Pedro (Parra) see it, the limestone has the potential to be the best." The 2022 Striato Shiraz is composed of 90% Polygon 10 and 10% of Polygon 1 (schist and quartzite). Interestingly, the 2022 Birdsong Syrah is Polygon 14 (clay) and Polygon 11 (schist). "We really are using geology to create a classification system of quality." The austerity and finesse of Polygon 10 is evident, but the mouthfilling mid-palate of Polygon 1 fleshes out the experience and completes the picture. 14% alcohol, sealed under natural cork.
96 Points, Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Deep ruby and purple tones. Mulberry, black olive and blood orange peel aromatics. Dark fruit on entry, tightly coiled as it sits on the palate. Savoury ironstone and meaty hints add to the complexity and fine gravelly tannins add to the sense of tension. This wine is not your traditional rich Barossa shiraz, it carries loads of savoury and grip so will be best suited to food and will reward cellaring.
93 Points, Stuart Knox, The Real Review
