Winemaker Notes
Suitably named Boreal, in honor of the northerly winds that buffet this east-facing slope, it is a lithe and sinuous example of Syrah with a mix of meat, lavender and smoky, dark cherry fruit.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
One of the top wines in the vintage is Gilles' 2015 Cotes Catalanes Boreal, which is 100% Syrah that was fermented in concrete and aged in a mix of barrel and tank. It offers sensational notes of black raspberries, spring flowers, peach pit and cherries, as well as full-bodied richness, a tight, structured profile and a great finish. It’s going to reward 3-4 years of cellaring and have 15+ years of overall longevity.
Range: 94-96
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.”
An extensive appellation producing a diverse selection of good quality and great values, Languedoc spans the Mediterranean coast from the Pyrenees mountains of Roussillon all the way to the Rhône Valley. Languedoc’s terrain is generally flat coastal plains, with a warm Mediterranean climate and frequent risk of drought.
Virtually every style of wine is made in this expansive region. Most dry wines are blends with varietal choice strongly influenced by the neighboring Rhône Valley. For reds and rosés, the primary grapes include Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Cinsault and Mourvèdre. White varieties include Grenache Blanc, Muscat, Ugni Blanc, Vermentino, Macabéo, Clairette, Piquepoul and Bourbelenc.
International varieties are also planted in large numbers here, in particular Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The key region for sparkling wines here is Limoux, where Blanquette de Limoux is believed to have been the first sparkling wine made in France, even before Champagne. Crémant de Limoux is produced in a more modern style.