Sami-Odi Our Hill Syrah #1

Elegance, perfume and site expression define this distinctive small-production Barossa-Eden Valley Syrah from cult Australian producer Sami-Odi. Sami-Odi Our Hill Syrah #1 is an inaugural multi-vintage assemblage sourced from the estate’s own hillside vineyard on the southern side of Angaston, planted from carefully selected Shiraz cuttings taken from respected old Barossa vineyards.

The wine blends casks from several recent seasons, chosen for their delicacy and aromatic finesse rather than sheer power. These vines grow on rocky slopes where poorer soils and elevation naturally moderate ripeness and produce finer tannins. Winemaker Fraser McKinley follows a minimal-intervention philosophy, fermenting with whole bunches and native yeasts to capture vineyard character. Gentle handling and maturation in seasoned French oak preserve purity while allowing texture to develop slowly. Compared with the more powerful Hoffmann wines, Our Hill is intentionally lighter in feel, prioritising fragrance and detail.

The wine opens with lifted red and blue fruits before revealing spice and savoury complexity. Its structure is supple and finely woven, showing energy rather than weight. Designed to be approachable earlier than the estate’s flagship bottlings, it still possesses the balance to evolve gracefully over several years.