Jamsheed, Illaj Syrah 2015

Whole bunch fermentation. Aged for 12 months in oak.

In Persian folklore, Jamsheed was a legendary king whose fondness of fresh grapes lead him to store them in jars over winter. Fermentation would occasionally take place and the juice would be set aside as poison, until one day it was drunk by a suicidal member of the king's harem. When her spirits lifted, she informed the King of this wondrous beverage. He in turn set about making more jars of  poison -- and thus wine is said to have been discovered! Gary Mills does not claim to have discovered wine, but his cool climate, elegant Yarra Valley Syrahs and aromatic whites are certainly a revelation. He spent a couple of years at Ridge with Paul Draper learning how to balance power and finesse and it really shows. His wines are made with whole bunch fermentations and minimal use of sulphur, and with the exception of the more accessible Harem series, all are single vineyard cuvees. These are distinctively terroir-driven and elegant wines, made to express the singularity of their vineyards and deliver loads pleasure. King Jamsheed would have approved.