Orion represents the cream of Murdoch Hill’s Syrah crop, comprising the best fruit from the Landau block (the lion’s share is from the apex of the vineyard) and further classified in barrel post-fermentation. This year, barrels were selected from just two parcels kept separate until the final blending decisions were made. The site is 400 metres above sea level, predominately east-facing on shallow, red loam soils with varying levels of schist rock and ironstone. The vines were planted in 1998.
The fruit was picked over two days in late March and early April and fermented with 15% bunches in a two-tonne open fermenter. It was then transferred to 500-litre Stockinger puncheons (20% new), where it rested for 10 months. We didn’t think it possible to surpass last year’s triumphant release, which took out the trophy for Best South Australian Shiraz at the 2022 Melbourne Royal Wine Awards, but Downer’s knocked it out of the park once again. This is sheer class.