The 2018 Homage Syrah includes a mere 0.4% Viognier, yet it boasts distinct scents of stone fruit on the nose, backed by red and black raspberries and hints of peppermint. It's only medium-bodied, in line with the trend over the past few vintages toward less power and (presumably) more finesse. In this vintage, it comes off a bit lacking in richness on the palate, although the wine's complexity—marrying mixed berries, violets, spice and herb notes, plus hints of licorice and coffee—makes this still a very enjoyable drink. Give it another couple of years in the cellar and drink it over the following decade or so.

Not as dense or powerful as some previous vintages, the 2017 Homage Syrah instead boasts soaring aromas of violets, cracked pepper, black cherries and tapenade. It's only medium-bodied yet concentrated and silky in feel, with a long, elegant finish framed by softly dusty tannins. This complex, approachable wine should drink well for a decade or more.

At this stage, the 2016 Homage Syrah shows a bit of stone fruit (apricot) character, alongside raspberry fruit and subtle hints of pencil shavings. This wine has become increasingly refined over the years, and the newest release is downright elegant compared to the big bruising style when the wine was first launched. It's medium to full-bodied, with silky tannins and a lingering finish. Homage comes from the estate's oldest Syrah plantings on the Gimblett Gravels (1995 and 1999); it aged in predominantly new French oak barriques, although a portion spent time in a 50-hectoliter oval.

Raised in 60% new oak, the 2015 Homage Syrah has completely soaked that up, showing only plenty of dark, plummy fruit and ample spice on the nose. Hints of black olive and mocha show up on the medium to full-bodied palate, bolstered by silky tannins. This is not a huge, blockbuster year for Homage, instead showing a suppler, gentler side of the Gimblett Gravels.