*warning: this description contains capitalisation
I won’t mince words here, in 2023 we were robbed. We made the MIGHTY Gymkata Syrah from a beautiful vineyard in Kilmore, Victoria, for 8 years. EIGHT YEARS. Then old mate sold the vineyard and new mate sold us the fruit WE HAD DOMINATED LIKE LEGENDS for just one vintage then DOGGED US by selling it to some new old mate who will remain NAMELESS.
I don’t use capitalisation lightly, but this was beyond the pale. I hope it gets phomopsis.
There I said it. No, obviously I wish everyone all the best... just jokes, just jokes. But in the end our loss was our gain because we met the HE-MAN of viticulture, Bruce McNamara, in the Alpine Valley, he of the beautiful Bush Track vines.
Here we discovered EVEN BETTER fruit. And so Gymkata is back! 2026 was our fourth year working with this fruit and we think we have finally nailed it. After last years incredibly quick ripening, this year we were tracking it like a hawk and ended up pulling it off three and a half weeks prior to Bobs harvest date, where they make a more powerful style.
Site: Conmara Vineyard, Alpine Valleys Victoria. Grown by Bob McNamara.
Production: 100% Syrah. The most immaculate machine harvested fruit we receive year in, year out. Perfect whole berries are bucketed straight into small fermenters and left to start ferment naturally. Initially hand plunged to extract some liquid and then we move to twice daily pump overs ensuring a high percentage of whole berries re-main. 12 days fermenting and then pressed into stainless steel. Racked twice, once post ferment and once pre-bottling. Bottled unfined, unfiltered with a touch of sulphur.
Tasting notes: Much lighter on its feet than previous releases, this is a return to the original spring-release Syrah style. Bright red berries mingle with the site's familiar plum character, while black olive and spice bring a little depth. The palate is medium-bodied, with lively acidity and just enough tannin to keep you coming back for more.
Syrah enough for your wine wanker mates, Shiraz enough for Gramps.
