Innocent Bystander
Yarra Valley Syrah
Yarra Valley, Port Phillip, Victoria, Australia
Dark violet. Oak-spiced black raspberry and floral scents take on suggestions of woodsmoke and licorice with air. Chewy and focused on the palate, offering subtly sweet, spice-tinged red berry and cherry flavors that slowly flesh out through the midpalate. Gently gripping tannins frame the finish, which hangs on with very good, spicy tenacity. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, September 2022)
Dark violet. Oak-spiced black raspberry and floral scents take on suggestions of woodsmoke and licorice with air. Chewy and focused on the palate, offering subtly sweet, spice-tinged red berry and cherry flavors that slowly flesh out through the midpalate. Gently gripping tannins frame the finish, which hangs on with very good, spicy tenacity. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, September 2022)
No formal notes but loved this savoury spicy Northern Rhone style showing Cured Meats, Bacon and Charcuterie - smoky. Judicious use of whole bunch in the ferment. Medium weight with a little dry red fruits but essentially a savoury earthy driven wine. Ridiculous value at $19 per bottle.
No formal notes but loved this savoury spicy Northern Rhone style showing Cured Meats, Bacon and Charcuterie - smoky. Judicious use of whole bunch in the ferment. Medium weight with a little dry red fruits but essentially a savoury earthy driven wine. Ridiculous value at $19 per bottle.
Jun 29th, 2022It’s amazing how many grape varietals do well in the Yarra Valley - Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Riesling is about the only mainstream variety that doesn’t. This Syrah is an excellent cool climate expression of the grape with aromas of Bacon, Spice and Indian Bazaar. A good new world rendition of Northern Rhone Syrah. Made by former Australian wine maker of the year - Steve Flamsteed when Innocent Bystander was under the auspices of Giant Steps. Not the case now.
It’s amazing how many grape varietals do well in the Yarra Valley - Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Riesling is about the only mainstream variety that doesn’t. This Syrah is an excellent cool climate expression of the grape with aromas of Bacon, Spice and Indian Bazaar. A good new world rendition of Northern Rhone Syrah. Made by former Australian wine maker of the year - Steve Flamsteed when Innocent Bystander was under the auspices of Giant Steps. Not the case now.
Jun 24th, 2019A peppery spicy medium to light weight. Syrah. Another string to the bow of the Yarra Valley which also does excellent Pinot Noir Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon - also Merlot. No cellaring required. Had another bottle 145 weeks later on 16th February 2019. Holding up easily. Notes as above.
A peppery spicy medium to light weight. Syrah. Another string to the bow of the Yarra Valley which also does excellent Pinot Noir Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon - also Merlot. No cellaring required. Had another bottle 145 weeks later on 16th February 2019. Holding up easily. Notes as above.
May 2nd, 2016
Drank a lot of the '12 of this - cool, silky, elegant stuff. This is my first look at the '13 and it's good; in the slot again, though perhaps the fruit's a touch sweeter than the previous vintage. Very good midweight Syrah.
Drank a lot of the '12 of this - cool, silky, elegant stuff. This is my first look at the '13 and it's good; in the slot again, though perhaps the fruit's a touch sweeter than the previous vintage. Very good midweight Syrah.
Jan 11th, 2015
Nice, smooth red. A little peppery but not overwhelming. Balanced fruit and nice medium dryness.
Nice, smooth red. A little peppery but not overwhelming. Balanced fruit and nice medium dryness.
Oct 29th, 2017
