Gilles Lapalus, originally from Burgundy, traveled the wine world and landed in Victoria in 2001 where he worked at Sutton Grange and then launched Bertrand Bespoke and Maison Lapalus. This is a minuscule, 150 case production, made from a Northern Rhone Syrah clone planted in 2001 on Cambrian greenstone. Vineyard practices are sustainable while gradually moving to strict organic standards. Handpicked and wild fermented, 50% whole bunches and 50% de-stemmed, the wine is then aged in second-hand barrels for a year, bottled without any fining or filtration and minimal SO2 (17mg/L free SO2, total 28mg/L). The result is a lighter, complex wine that is lighter than both a typical Aussie Shiraz or a Northern Rhone Syrah. Fresh and fruity with red berries, sour cherry, a distinct sour kombucha note and savory, saline, black olive flavors, this natty, iconoclastic Syrah pairs well with a classic Aussie meat pie or mushroom risotto.