Explore 4: Shiraz / Syrah - The Many Faces of Spice Bold, elegant, peppery, plush, few grapes wear so many guises as Shiraz (or Syrah, if you prefer the French). Our Explore 4 case celebrates the grape’s globe-trotting personality, from the granite peaks of Australia to the coastal winds of South Africa and Chile, finishing on the ancient stones of the Rhône. Each bottle captures a different side of this dark, brooding classic: smoky and savoury, floral and lifted, rich yet refined. These are wines that balance intensity with poise, proof that Syrah’s magic isn’t just in its power, but in its subtlety and soul. For those who crave depth, spice and character in their glass, this is the perfect journey: four bottles, four landscapes, one unmistakably captivating grape. Here’s what’s in the case: 2023 Big Sky Syrah, Tumbleweed, Overberg, South Africa The High-Road HazeWildly aromatic and sleekly structured, this high-elevation Syrah bursts with blackberry, violets, and white pepper, balanced by a savoury, smoky edge. Cool-climate freshness meets Cape soul, pure, energetic, and effortlessly drinkable. 2020 Cliff Edge Shiraz, Mount Langi Ghiran, Grampians, Australia The Granite ClassicA benchmark cool-climate Shiraz, all black cherry, raspberry and spice wrapped in velvety texture. Silky and expressive with layers of mocha and pepper, it’s rich yet refined; the kind of bottle that makes you stop mid-sentence. 2021 Syrah ‘TH’, Undurraga, Leyda Valley, Chile The Coastal EdgeTense, vibrant and mineral, this cool-climate Chilean Syrah shows wild berries, herbs and black pepper over fine-grained tannins. A wine of focus and lift, shaped by ocean breezes and Jurassic granite, pure Leyda precision. 2022 Crozes-Hermitage, Saint Cosme, Rhône Valley, France The French Low NoteDark-fruited, smoky, and supremely elegant, this northern Rhône Syrah hums with blackberry, violet, and cracked pepper. Whole-cluster depth, granite minerality and a lingering, savoury finish, power with a poet’s touch.
