Vanguardist Wines Syrah 2024 [JH 96]

James Halliday Wine Companion 96 points.

From Ebenezer, planted to sandy clay loam with fragmented ironstone over limestone. This sits no more than medium in weight, sketched in charcoal and pencil rather than splashed with colour. There’s fruit intensity, concentration, but like other wines of the stable, spice and savouriness and structure are the guiding principles. Blackberry, dried olive, a mulberry tang to the palate, with a sultry detailing of dry spices, clove, allspice, whole pepper and the like. Faded violet, blood and rust, cured meat, dried blood orange. Layered and complex, a saline, Dutch-licorice edge to the palate. Tannins, as always, are detailed, carefully extracted, compellingly instructive, leading to the table.

Marcus Ellis

Published 24 February 2026