2023 R. Lane Vintners Westgate Vineyard Syrah

"Deep ruby and purple colours. There is a wonderful lift of blueberry, white pepper, granite and dried beef aromatics. Palate sings with those same characters, bound in the finest silk tannins and a faint lift of lacing acidity. It is a remarkable wine, still very youthful yet showing great integration and seamlessness to its line and flow. A wine that is delicious to drink know but will also reward your patience when cellared.  97pts - Stuart Knox, The Real Review, 09 Jan 2025

"Fermented in large format fermenters, mix destemmed, 30% whole bunches, 11 months in seasoned oak, blended, and another seven months in oak. Produced only in exceptional vintages and it seems that '23, the coldest, latest vintage since '11, was just such a year. Positively alluring. Brings the promise of something great to come as it unwinds slowly, revealing a dark beauty, concentrated and complex. Acacia, briar, ripe blackberry, bright plum, a little pepper here, a splash of earthy undergrowth there, wild herbs and chocolate. Rolls out across ripe, soft, swarthy tannins. Compelling. Elegant. 95pts - Jeni Port - Wine Companion 19 May 2025

"The 2023 Syrah Westgate Vineyard is beautifully composed, with the cool vintage delivering a f iner version that does not lack its customary finesse and detail. Dark cherry and Middle Eastern spices, notably cinnamon stick, are present with striking confidence. Significant powdery tannins, firm acidity and flavor are in unison, delivering a strong, savory yet subtle f inish'. 95pts Angus Hughson