Winemaker Notes
A cooler vintage like 2021 showcases more dark fruit as opposed to red. Blackberry and blueberry notes shine together, with a bit of white pepper on the nose. Black olives and meaty notes combine with tertiary scents of tar and toffee. A floral note, reminiscent of violets, shows up a few seconds from the opening. Vibrant, alive and as elegant as a cool climate Syrah can be, the vertical acidity is one of the main features of this wine, and a guarantee for a long ageing potential.
Professional Ratings
-
James Suckling
Generous and fruity nose with masses of sweet red cherries, hawthorn fruit and spiced strawberries. Juicy, fluid and soft on the palate with a medium body, round tannins and a direct, fruity finish.
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.