Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2007 The Governor Syrah offers a fragrant licorice, chocolate box and kirsch scented nose with underlying hints of mint, smoked game and mocha. Full bodied and richly fruited in the mouth, the generous flesh is well supported with a medium to firm level of grainy tannins and medium to high acidity. The finish is long and laced with peppered berries. Drink it now to 2020. During my visit to McLaren Vale, I tasted a small vertical of Aramis’ The Governor Syrah with the winery’s managing director, Lee Flourentzou. The Aramis vineyard is in Willunga, a relatively cool climate pocket just 1.5 miles from the ocean. The wines are now made by the highly skilled winemaker at Chapel Hill, Michael Fragos. Only 300-400 cases of the winery’s flagship, The Governor, are made every year.Importer: John Larchet, The Australian Premium Wine Collection; www.tapwc.com.au