Sami-Odi Hoffmann Dallwitz Syrah 2018
Sami-Odi is a small winery in the Barossa Valley producing the smallest about of Syrah at the highest quality. The grapes come from separate selected pots from Barossa's finest vineyards. Wine maker Fraser McKinley tends to use organic principles, producing his wines using whole bunches., and sometimes blending across barrels, sites, and vintages. In 2014 he was named the Young Gun of Wine.
Sami-Odi is a boutique wine label founded by Fraser McKinley, who transitioned from being a sommelier to winemaker. Fraser is known for his commitment to producing high-quality, small-batch Syrah from the Hoffmann's 'Dallwitz' vineyard in the Barossa Valley, home to some of Australia's oldest vines dating back to 1888. His approach to winemaking combines traditional and modern techniques acquired during his time at renowned wineries like Torbreck and Standish Wine Co. Fraser carefully selects the finest fruit to craft his cuvées, resulting in wines that are highly sought after by collectors. Each vintage is a unique expression of the vineyard's terroir, showcasing the depth and complexity of Barossa Syrah. Fraser's wines are approachable in their youth and bottled with minimal sulfur added, allowing the pure expression of the Barossa to shine through. His focus on pH levels and early picking reflects his dedication to creating wines with a unique sense of place and style.
The Sami-Odi Hoffmann Dallwitz Syrah 2018 is a meticulously crafted composition of select casks from the highly favorable 2018 growing season. Sourced from the two oldest sections of the Hoffmann families' 'Dallwitz' vineyard, including vines planted on their original roots in 1927 (0.435 Hectare) and the oldest vines dating between 1888 and 1912 (0.775 Hectare), this wine embodies the rich heritage of the vineyard. After enduring a 78-week elevage, these 23 Burgundian Pièces were thoughtfully assembled and bottled in spring 2019. Notably, the bottling process involved no filtration, fining or sparging, and all transfers were accomplished via gravity, preserving the wine's integrity. With yields ranging between 29 and 38 hectoliters per hectare, this wine represents a true labour of love and a testament to the exceptional terroir of the vineyard.
Rich scents of sweet berries, violets, faint vanilla, clove-cedar wood, but gentle, some flighty green herb and undergrowth aromas in the mix. Lots going on. It’s perfumed, to summarise. Silky, satiny-textured, such a beautiful feel with the inky concentration a sub-plot in the wine story. Yep, it’s dense, but the catering for that intensity of oil pool-dark plummy fruit is licks of spice, herb and cooling acidity – lift and finesse in the power. Heft, grace, shapely gummy-puckering tannin, deliciousness and moreish impulse wrapped in. Multi-dimensional. Epic wine. Epic. - Mike Bennie, The Wine Front, 96 Points
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Syrah
Country - Australia
Region - Barossa Valley, South Australia
Vintage - 2018
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14.4%