2018 Trinity Hill Homage Syrah

The 2018 Homage Syrah includes a mere 0.4% Viognier, yet it boasts distinct scents of stone fruit on the nose, backed by red and black raspberries and hints of peppermint. It's only medium-bodied, in line with the trend over the past few vintages toward less power and (presumably) more finesse. In this vintage, it comes off a bit lacking in richness on the palate, although the wine's complexity—marrying mixed berries, violets, spice and herb notes, plus hints of licorice and coffee—makes this still a very enjoyable drink. Give it another couple of years in the cellar and drink it over the following decade or so.

Always a serious style with a high percentage of whole bunch compared with most producers on the Gravels, this is fragrant, spiced Syrah that seems cooler than the “warmest summer on record” statistics would suggest. While delicate and floaty on the midpalate, there is an intensity of fruit and masses of resolved tannins. Warmly aromatic and brooding with cinnamon, clove and Szechuan pepper meeting black fruit and aniseed, this is a complex, layered style that is constantly evolving. The finish is fresh, the scent of herbs and spices lingering and lingering.

Contains 0.4% Viognier! 12 to 15 months in French oak, 32% new. Mid crimson. Edgy/vegy take on a black-pepper nose with a certain sweetness too, but on the palate it is bone dry, almost saliva-sucking in fact. I think it has been made to age and this is certainly too early to drink it. There's a certain delicacy of texture that there definitely wasn't in early vintages of this famous wine. Should make pretty impressive old bones. (JR)