FROMM Syrah Fromm Vineyard 2016

Raymond Chan
5 Stars, 19 / 20 

"Full, even, near impenetrable black-hued purple-red colour, a little lighter on the rim, very youthful in appearance.  The nose is full and soft with gently voluminous and concentrated aromas of ripe blackberry fruit along with notes of liquorice, black plums and Asian spices, unfolding violet florals.  This is packed with subtle detail.  Medium-full bodied, the palate is rich and vibrant with juicy and succulent flavours of ripe blackberry fruit along with black pepper, black plums, liquorice and spices, unveiling violet floral notes.  The fruit forms a tightly bound and concentrated core, and is supported by considerable, fine-grained, powdery tannin extraction with balanced acidity lending energy and some tension.  The flavours carry to a taut, sustained finish of black fruits, violet perfumes and black pepper.  This is a rich and vibrant, but well-concentrated Syrah with black fruits, pepper, florals and spices on a fine-grained palate with plenty of extract.  Match with roasted and grilled game meat dishes over the next 8-10 years.  Fruit from the ‘Fromm’ vineyard, Wairau Valley, vines 20-25 y.o. and close-planted at 4,700 vines per ha, hand-picked and destemmed, indigenous yeast fermented with 2% Viognier, with 85% whole berries to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 17-18 months in seasoned oak. 6 barrels made."

Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
96 Points, 5 Stars

"A powerfully graceful syrah; the gloriously expressed wine is saturated with dark fruit richness together with nuances of floral, spice and game. The wine offers staggering fruit concentration, wonderfully supported by velvety texture and seamlessly integrated fine tannins. Striking and compelling with outstanding definition and structure. At its best: 2020 to 2030."

Nick Stock, James Suckling.com
93 / 100 Points 

“A spicy, mid-weight syrah that has attractive peppery and spicy allure, across red-plum and raspberry aromas. Brisk, succulent and energetic tannins carve a long, contained shape on the palate. Bright, red-fruit
finish.”