van Asch Syrah
Two vintages for this unique Central Otago Syrah have been produced to date (1999 & 2006).
The original van Asch Syrah vintage is the 1999 and was picked when the vines were located in the Havoc Farm block in Gibbston.
When the van Asch Bendigo Block was developed and planted in 2000 these vines were relocated to this Bendigo Block. The additional heat of the Bendigo area was identified as being advantageous to the Syrah variety compared with the cooler Gibbston growing conditions. After much anticipation the first Syrah wine from these transplanted grapes has been released, the 2006 vintage. The philosophy for the van Asch wines remains true for the Syrah:
Our aim is best summed up by “fine wine begins with the vine”. Our approach is through sustainable viticulture where we strive for “balance” in the vineyard. This ultimately provides grapes that are a reflection of our particular site or as the French say “terroir”.
Syrah from Central Otago is unique in that it displays aromas of red berries, licorice, cracked pepper whiile also being balanced with ripe tannins, minerals and fresh acidity. We hope you enjoy this wine as much as we do making it.