The first impression is anything but impressive. The nose is very quiet, and the palate is not dramatic. But then you notice that it has a very fine texture, with a constant flow from beginning to middle to end and it just will not let go. This is fine wine in its youth. Minutes later you can still feel this wine on your palate – substance with a delicate patina, and a very refined bitterness. If you love the Cain Five, you’ll want to experience the expression of Syrah in the Cain Vineyard, that reveals and even underscores the extremely fine tannins that the Cain Vineyard yields. Of course, though wonderful on release, this wine will continue to develop.
I think that the 2018 Cain Syrah could be one of the best-ever renditions of Syrah grown in the Cain Vineyard. At several years later, this wine is drinking beautifully and is still quite youthful. The 2018 Syrah reflects the signature herbal-floral perfume of the Cain Vineyard, together with the complex earthy-animal “funk” often found in the Cain Five. The wine is elegant, with a very refined structure, silky smooth on the palate.
