The 2017 Long Road Syrah was sourced from the Eden Road Estate Block in Murrumbateman (75%) on sandy loams over a granitic base. The remaining quarter came from the Cool Hand vineyard (the former Cullerin vineyard founded by Dr Edgar Riekin in 1971) located at Lake George. All of the fruit was de-stemmed and fermented in closed fermenters. The grapes were lightly pressed at the end of fermentation directly into four-six year old 500 litre puncheons for 16 months. The ’17 is a wonderfully fragrant, spicy high-country Syrah with dark cherry and blackberry fruits flecked with white pepper and black olive complexity. The finish is really fresh and juicy with some very fine tannins. Another terrific value from Celine Rousseau, highlighting the outstanding progress being made at this producer.