2024 Warramate Syrah | 95 Point Yarra Valley Shiraz

🏆 95 POINTS HALLIDAY | MADE BY THE TEAM BEHIND YARRA YERING

Made by One of Australia's Greatest Winemakers

The story behind the bottle makes the price look even more impressive.

95 Points – Halliday Wine Companion

Yarra Valley, Victoria

RRP $45 a bottle

This is one of those wines where the story behind the bottle makes the price look even more impressive.

Warramate sits alongside Yarra Yering in Gruyere, in one of the Yarra Valley's most distinguished viticultural neighbourhoods. Established in 1970, the vineyard has mature vines and has been under the same ownership as Yarra Yering since 2011, while remaining a separate label.

Most importantly, the wines are made by Sarah Crowe, the celebrated winemaker behind Yarra Yering and a former Halliday Winemaker of the Year.

So when you see a 95-point Yarra Valley Syrah for $45 carrying this pedigree, you should pay attention.

Tasting Notes

Expect a beautifully aromatic, cool-climate Syrah showing:

• Blackberry and blueberry
• Black cherry and red plum
• Violets
• Cracked black pepper
• Dried herbs
• Olive and savoury spice
• Subtle earthiness
• Fine, beautifully structured tannins

This isn't about massive fruit or alcohol.

It's about perfume, spice, savoury complexity and texture.

Medium-bodied and energetic, the fruit has excellent depth while retaining that wonderful Yarra Valley freshness. Fine tannins give the wine structure without heaviness, while pepper, herbs and savoury complexity linger across a long, beautifully composed finish.

95 Points – Halliday Wine Companion

The 2024 Warramate Syrah received an outstanding:

95 Points – Halliday Wine Companion

That's particularly impressive considering the RRP is only $45.

Halliday has long highlighted Syrah as one of Warramate's strengths, noting that the variety provides further evidence of just how well suited it is to the Yarra Valley.

A Vineyard with Serious Pedigree

Warramate was established in 1970 and occupies a superb site at Gruyere in the Yarra Valley.

Its neighbours tell you almost everything you need to know about the quality of this part of the valley.

Warramate shares its immediate viticultural neighbourhood with Yarra Yering, while the historic vineyards of Yeringberg and Mount Mary are also part of this remarkable pocket of the Yarra.

The vineyard itself is approximately 6.6 hectares, with some vines now around half a century old.

That combination of mature vines, exceptional location and Sarah Crowe's winemaking makes Warramate one of the Yarra Valley's most interesting under-the-radar producers.

The Sarah Crowe Connection

This is probably the biggest selling point.

Sarah Crowe is the winemaker for both Yarra Yering and Warramate.

She was named Halliday Wine Companion Winemaker of the Year in 2017, and her work at Yarra Yering has established her among Australia's most respected winemakers.

That means Warramate gives you an opportunity to experience wines from the same winemaking talent at a dramatically more accessible price.

It's one reason Warramate has developed something of a cult following among serious Australian wine drinkers.

Food Pairings

Perfect with:

• Chargrilled lamb
• Duck breast
• Beef short ribs
• Steak frites
• Roast pork
• Wild mushroom dishes
• Wood-fired pizza
• Mature hard cheeses

Cellaring

There's plenty to enjoy immediately, particularly if you love the floral, peppery character of youthful cool-climate Syrah.

But the combination of fruit concentration, freshness and fine tannins should also reward medium-term cellaring.

Drink now–2035+.

Why We Love It

This might be one of the smartest buys in the Yarra Valley.

You have a historic vineyard established in 1970, mature vines, a site adjoining Yarra Yering, and the wine is made by Sarah Crowe, one of Australia's most celebrated winemakers.

Then you have the score:

95 Points – Halliday Wine Companion.

And the RRP?

Just $45.

If you love the perfume, pepper, spice and savoury complexity of great cool-climate Australian Shiraz, the 2024 Warramate Syrah should be very high on your list.

This is the sort of wine that drinks like it should cost considerably more than $45.

👉 95 Halliday + Yarra Yering pedigree. For lovers of elegant, cool-climate Australian Shiraz, the 2024 Warramate Syrah represents exceptional value.