If you could drink this 2018 Astralis Syrah all day, by god you would. I mean, I would. The oak feels imperceptible, which I discover is adapted depending on the concentration of the year. This 2018 was matured in 40% new oak, and you wouldn’t know it. The tannins are chewy and pliable, and the fruit that resides within it is striking. A wine of poise. Clarity. Delicacy. I have had many different vintages of the Astralis over time, but it seems to me that the new vintages are finer and more polished than ever. On this visit in June 2022, Roman and Alex opened the 1994—the first vintage of Astralis (in a full, starry, wraparound label, I might add)—alongside the 2017, 2018 and 2020, and it showed as you might expect an old high-quality Rhone to, with notes of truffles, black pudding, star anise, berries and cloves. It was elegant, verging on ethereal—all surprising qualities given the 100% new oak, 100% whole-bunch recipe the wine was made to. Published: Sep 16, 2022 Drink 2022 - 2042.
Source: Robert Parker.