Winemaker Notes
This Syrah has been widely recognized and awarded in competitions and magazines at national and international level. A blend of 10 to 15 year old vines sourced from hillside blocks planted on 110 million year old decomposed granite, the grapes were harvested by hand at the end of May and then underwent a double selection process before going into small stainless steel tanks for fermentation. It was then aged for 14 months in used and new French oak barrels. On the nose lifted notes of lavender, violet blueberries and gunpowder. In the mouth black cherry and savory cedar flavors are backed up by fresh acidity and crisp tannins.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A fruity syrah that shows raspberries, citrus and dried orange peel. Medium body, fine tannins and a tangy finish. Drink now.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
A region that has become synonymous with some of the best whites of Chile, the Casablanca Valley is full of dozens of bodegas who either grow fruit here or come from outside to source from local growers for their own white wine programs. The valley runs from east to west, which means that its westernmost vineyards receive the most cooling influence from the reliable afternoon sea breezes. The soils also tend to be heavier in clay in the west, whereas the eastern end of the valley is warmer and its soils are predominantly granitic. Sauvignon blanc thrives here, Chardonnay does well and Pinot noir is not uncommon.