FROMM La Strada Syrah 2016

Raymond Chan
5 stars, 18.5 / 20             

"Very dark, black-hued purple-ruby colour, a little lighter on the rim, youthful in appearance. The nose is full, up-front and accessible with aromas of blackberry fruit entwined with black and white pepper with violet florals, unfolding suggestions of dark raspberries, plums and liquorice. The aromatics grow in depth and density with aeration. Medium-bodied, the palate has plush and juicy, well-poised fruit flavours of blackberries intermixed with black and white pepper along with violet florals, unfolding subtle liquorice and spice notes. The fruit is enlivened by fresh, lacy acidity and the palate is underlined by elegant, supple, fine-grained tannin extraction. This has lovely freshness and balance, with good energy, and the wine flows to a lingering finish of black fruit and pepper. This is an open and accessible, plush and poised Syrah with blackberry fruit along with black and white pepper and floral notes on a supple, fine-grained palate. Match wit Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine over the next 4-5 years. Fruit from the Wairau Valley, hand-picked and destemmed, indigenous yeast co-fermented with 2% Viognier, with a high proportion whole berries to 13.0% alc., the wine aged in 228 L and 600 L barrels, 10% new, for 16-18 months."

Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
94 points, 5 Stars 

"This is sweetly perfumed on the nose showing dark plum, blueberry compote, violet, olive and game characters. The palate is equally satisfying with excellent fruit purity and intensity, wonderfully complemented by fine texture and polished tannins. The wine offers terrific fruit power together with fleshy mouthfeel, finishing long and delectable. At its best: 2019 to 2026."