Agricola Vintners Flaxman Valley 2020

A tour de force of high-altitude Eden Valley winemaking, crafted by Callum Powell—one of the central figures leading Australia’s "New Barossa" movement. Sourced from ancient, dry-grown vines (including Powell’s century-old family home block and an adjacent steep hillside vineyard), this cuvée abandons heavy-handed extraction in favor of tension, site expression, and Northern Rhône-style finesse. Vinified with wild fermentations and ambient oak handling, it delivers an ethereal, high-definition showcase of cool-climate Syrah.

The nose is wildly complex and lifted, wafting with scents of dark wild blackberries, sour cherry, and blueberry preserve, intricately layered with black pepper, olive tapenade, alpine herbs, cured meats, and crushed granite. On the palate, it strikes a breathtaking balance between weightless agility and intense concentration. A pure core of dark fruits and spiced plum is propelled by a piercing beam of natural acidity and fine, pixelated tannins that weave seamlessly through the mid-palate. Linear, savoury, and extraordinarily persistent, this is a landmark modern benchmark built to offer captivating drinking today or flourish in the cellar over the next 15+ years.