Stefano Lubiana Syrah 2018: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Cool-climate spice & silk

A rare biodynamic Tasmanian Syrah from Stefano Lubiana’s Derwent Valley estate, made in a medium-bodied, Rhône-inspired style rather than a big, plush Australian Shiraz mode. Now around eight years old, it is ageing beautifully, with its primary black fruit settling into a more savoury, silky and complex drinking window. This was only the second vintage after Merlot vines were grafted over to Shiraz, and the wine now shows dense black fruit, plum, white pepper, dark chocolate, red currant, five-spice and fine silky tannins. Elegant, detailed and long, it is ideal for Pinot Noir drinkers wanting more grip without losing finesse.

Highlights

• Certified organic, certified biodynamic and vegan suitable
• Crafted by Stefano Lubiana — Tasmania’s first and only certified biodynamic vineyard
• Dense black fruit, plum, white pepper, red currant, dark chocolate, spice and fine silky tannins
• 100% estate-grown Shiraz/Syrah from Derwent Valley, Tasmania
• Halliday notes a Rhône-side expression with five-spice, nutmeg, pepper and Australian bush detail
• 13.5% ABV

Tasting Notes

Now around eight years old, this Syrah is ageing beautifully, with floral and savoury aromas opening into dense succulent black fruit, ripe plum, dark chocolate, white pepper, red currant and fine spice. Halliday’s note places it firmly on the Rhône side of Syrah, with five-spice, nutmeg, pepper and Australian bush detail adding savoury complexity. The palate is medium-bodied and graceful, with silky, resolved tannins, fresh cool-climate acidity and a long, elegant finish. It has moved beyond primary fruit into a more layered, savoury and quietly complex drinking window.

Winemaking

The Syrah was processed with 70% destemmed fruit and 30% whole bunches for fermentation. It matured for 13 months in second- and third-fill French oak barrels before blending and bottling. The older oak supports the wine without dominating it, giving shape and polish while keeping the focus on black fruit, pepper, spice and savoury cool-climate detail.

Vineyard & Vintage

The fruit is 100% estate-grown Shiraz/Syrah from Stefano Lubiana’s Derwent Valley vineyard in Tasmania. The vines were grafted over from Merlot, making the 2018 only the second vintage of this rare Tasmanian Syrah. The vineyard is certified biodynamic and sits on a mix of grey gravelly loam over gravel and red loam, giving the wine its combination of dark-fruit depth, fresh acidity and savoury mineral tension. The 2018 release is 13.5% ABV, dry, with approximately 2 g/L residual sugar and less than 1 gram of sugar per 100mL.

Why We Love It

This is a beautiful alternative to bigger Australian Shiraz. It has depth and dark fruit, but the real charm is in the perfume, spice, savoury edge and silky structure. Now with around eight years of bottle age, it feels mature, elegant and food-focused, with the kind of restraint that makes cool-climate Syrah so compelling. For customers who love Pinot Noir but want a little more tannin and pepper, this is a very smart step across.

Food Pairing

With plum, black fruit, white pepper, spice, red currant and silky tannins, this Syrah suits elegant savoury dishes rather than heavy barbecue sweetness. It works beautifully with duck, lamb, mushrooms, lentils, peppered dishes, roasted vegetables and herb-led food.

Try matching this wine with →

• Duck breast with plum sauce — Find a Recipe
• Mushroom and lentil shepherd’s pie — Find a Recipe
• Lamb backstrap with rosemary and garlic — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

Pour it for a slow dinner, duck night, mushroom pie, lamb with herbs or an elegant red when you want something with more savoury depth than Pinot Noir but less weight than a warm-climate Shiraz. It is refined, mature and very dinner-table friendly.

Cellaring

Drink now to 2027. The producer gives this style a 3–6 year cellaring window, and the 2018 is now in a mature, savoury drinking phase. It should be opened soon for its best balance of black fruit, spice, resolved tannin and aged complexity. Store cool, dark and stable.

Producer

Stefano Lubiana is based in Granton in Tasmania’s Derwent Valley, where Steve and Monique Lubiana have built one of Australia’s leading biodynamic wine estates. The vineyard has been farmed biodynamically since 2010 and is recognised as Tasmania’s first and only certified biodynamic vineyard. The estate avoids synthetic treatments, additives and pesticides, working with soil regeneration, seasonal rhythms and low-intervention cellar practices to create wines with elegance, quality and a clear sense of place.

Related Wines To Try →

If you enjoy elegant cool-climate reds with spice, savoury detail and fine tannins, these are lovely bottles to explore next:

• Same producer, structured biodynamic Pinot Noir with dark cherry and rose petal — Stefano Lubiana Estate Pinot Noir
• Same producer, softer Tasmanian Pinot Noir with raspberry and cedar — Stefano Lubiana Primavera Pinot Noir
• Premium biodynamic Tasmanian Chardonnay with citrus, stone fruit and creamy texture — Stefano Lubiana Estate Chardonnay

FAQ

What does Stefano Lubiana Syrah 2018 taste like?

It tastes elegant, savoury and cool-climate, with dense black fruit, ripe plum, dark chocolate, white pepper, red currant, five-spice, nutmeg and fine peppery detail. Now around eight years old, it is ageing beautifully, with the primary fruit settling into a silky, layered and more savoury drinking window. The palate is medium-bodied, long and graceful, with resolved tannins and a mature finish.

Is this Syrah dry, sweet or full-bodied?

This is a dry red wine, with approximately 2 g/L residual sugar and less than 1 gram of sugar per 100mL. It is medium-bodied rather than full and heavy. The black fruit is dense and succulent, but the wine finishes savoury and dry.

What is the difference between Syrah and Shiraz?

Syrah and Shiraz are the same grape variety, but the names often signal different styles. Syrah usually refers to a cooler-climate, Rhône-inspired expression with perfume, pepper, savoury spice, fine tannins and medium body. Shiraz often suggests a riper Australian style with fuller body, plush dark fruit and more generosity. This Stefano Lubiana wine uses the name Syrah because it sits firmly in the elegant, cool-climate style: savoury, silky, peppery and refined rather than big or jammy.

What are the tannins and acidity like?

The tannins are fine, silky and now well resolved with bottle age. Acidity is fresh and cool-climate, giving the wine lift and length. This balance makes it more elegant and savoury than many richer Australian Shiraz styles.

Does this wine contain preservatives or sulphites?

This is a certified organic and certified biodynamic Syrah, not a No Added Preservative wine. It may contain sulphites, as most wines do, and organic/biodynamic wines are made to lower allowable sulphur limits than conventional wines. It is vegan suitable.

How should I serve Stefano Lubiana Syrah?

Serve at around 15–17°C in a medium to large red wine glass. Because this is a mature 2018 wine, decant gently for sediment if needed, but avoid a long aggressive decant. A short 10–15 minutes in the glass will let the spice, plum and savoury notes open.

What food pairs well with this Syrah?

It pairs beautifully with duck, lamb, mushroom dishes, lentils, roast vegetables, peppered sauces and herb-led dishes. The black fruit works with richer proteins, while the white pepper and savoury tannins suit mushrooms and rosemary. For a vegetarian match, try mushroom and lentil shepherd’s pie.

Can this Syrah be cellared?

This wine has already had meaningful bottle age and is now in a mature drinking window. Drink now to 2027 for the best balance of black fruit, spice and resolved tannin. Store it somewhere cool and dark, and avoid heat exposure.

Is Stefano Lubiana Syrah vegan friendly?

Yes, this wine is vegan suitable. It is also certified organic and certified biodynamic. It is a strong choice for drinkers wanting a rare Tasmanian Syrah with elegant structure and serious farming credentials.

Who will enjoy this Syrah the most?

This is ideal for drinkers who enjoy cool-climate Syrah, savoury Shiraz, Northern Rhône-inspired reds or Pinot Noir drinkers looking for more grip and spice. If you like Shiraz but prefer elegance over weight, this will suit you beautifully.

Is this wine keto friendly?

Yes, this is a dry, low-sugar red wine with approximately 2 g/L residual sugar and less than 1 gram of sugar per 100mL. It can suit many keto-conscious drinkers looking for a premium biodynamic red. Alcohol still contributes calories, so enjoy it mindfully as part of your broader plan.

(SKU: SL_Syr_18)