Syrahmi Mourvèdre 2020 from Heathcote is a deeply coloured, modern take on Mouvèdre that captures all the variety’s wild, savoury personality in a more lifted, finely structured frame. Adam Foster works with 25‑year‑old Willoughby Bridge vines and keeps the winemaking very laissez‑faire – whole bunches, no pumping or plunging – to avoid over‑extraction and let pure Mourvèdre aromatics of smoked charcuterie, violets, cloves, balsamic herbs and dark fruit really sing.

On the palate, Syrahmi Mourvèdre 2020 is medium‑to‑full bodied with intense, dark, savoury fruit, sinuous tannins and refreshing acidity, feeling powerful yet surprisingly nimble for a grape known for hardness. Whole bunch work softens the tannin profile, giving a more savoury, delicate style of Mourvèdre that still shows its varietal DNA – think smoked meats, saddle leather and spice – but behaves beautifully at the table rather than dominating the food.

It is outstanding with cured meats, pâté and terrines as the winery suggests, and also shines with slow‑cooked meats and long braises – veal ragù with rosemary and thyme, lamb shanks or rich beef daube are perfect matches. That combination of depth, savoury complexity and refined structure makes Syrahmi Mourvèdre 2020 a brilliant option both for Rhône‑variety fans and anyone wanting something a bit different to Shiraz that still feels comfortably full‑flavoured.