Mayhem & Co Small Berries Blewitt Springs Syrah 2013

Mayhem & Co Small Berries Blewitt Springs Syrah 2013 (McLaren Vale, SA)
13.8%, Screwcap, $40

There’s so much to like about these Mayhem & Co wines. The handling, for one, sounds exactly like how I’d want to make my wines. This Syrah (lets just call it a Shiraz really) is sourced from a 40yr old BD vineyard at Blewitt Springs, the fruit hand picked, fermented wild, matured in 30% new oak for 14 months.

For all that, however, this carries just a little too much of the 2013 vintage heat to be glorious. The colour has a beautiful purple edge and it looks deep and plump. Beyond that, however, its all slightly desicated berry flavours, the note of shrivelled berries backed up by the dry, raspy tannins of slightly cooked fruit.

It’s not a bad wine, structurally, though I never enjoy such dried fruit flavours in a young Shiraz. Historically such reds become much more palatable as the tannins integrate more, but not much fun as young wines – as it is here.

Source: Sample
Tasted: Dec 14
Drink; 2017-2022
Score: 16.8/20, 89/100
Would I buy it? No. I’d prefer the ’12
Buy online: www.mayhemandcowine.com.au