The pinnacle of Adam Foster’s Syrahmi project, Home Block comes from a tiny 0.35-hectare high-density vineyard beside the family home in Tooborac, at the cooler southern end of Heathcote. Planted on its own roots in 2017 at 400 metres elevation, the vineyard combines three Shiraz clones — PT10, 2626 and Mt Langi — planted just 75cm apart. The vines grow in a thin 15–30cm layer of topsoil over ancient decomposed granite with no clay, surrounded by the enormous granite boulders characteristic of the site. The vineyard is farmed by hand using organic practices, Poussard pruning and zero tillage.

The unusual orientation and elevation encourage a particularly long growing season, with Home Block typically harvested in April, considerably later than Foster’s other Heathcote vineyards. The outstanding 2021 season delivered beautifully even ripening without significant heat spikes, which Foster describes as potentially the best vintage he had seen to that point.

In the winery, the fruit was fermented with 50% whole bunches and wild yeast, spending 28 days on skins with gentle foot stomping and hand plunging. The wine was then matured for two years on lees without racking in a 675L ceramic egg, before being bottled unfined and unfiltered with minimal SO₂ and aged for a further three years in bottle before release.

Mineral and intensely savoury, with wood smoke, white pepper and bouquet garni leading into a compact, powerful yet energetic palate. Rich, tightly wound tannins and impressive underlying concentration suggest considerable ageing potential. 98 points, Angus Hughson, Vinous, who described the 2021 as having greater breadth and power than the 2019, with an immaculate finish.