An esteemed wine that was much praised on release – now released from under its cork and opened for enjoyment after twenty years in bottle. Gimblett Gravels fruit from the Mere Road Vineyard. A dense purple colour in the glass, with plenty of brick red at the edges, showing the age. Also showing some aged character on the nose, but still blooming with plum, cinnamon, tamarillo, vanilla, black pepper, red cherry, graphite and a herbal, tomato leaf note. The core of the palate is now well balanced, smooth and harmonic – with fine, dusty tannins and background caramel of oak. The fruit is pure and concentrated, poised above an earthy, savoury element of olive, balsam and roasted red capsicum. A long, sweet and spicy finish. 94pts
Mills Reef Elspeth Syrah 2002
