Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
How many of you think of Chile when choosing a Syrah? Not many, I suppose—not surprising, for Chilean Syrahs are just beginning to be recognized. The 2011 Falernia Reserva Syrah exhibits bold ripe fruit and smoky aromas and flavors. A wine that lasts and lasts on the palate, this is a good choice with richly flavored grilled meats. Drinking well now. (Tasted: February 1, 2016, San Francisco, CA)
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2011 Reserva Syrah has aromas of cold bonfire, well-hung game, bacon fat, black olive tapenade, violets and tar (a textbook descriptor for cool-climate Syrah). The palate is medium-bodied, with plenty of fruit and velvety tannins, with good balance. It-s a great Syrah at very good price.
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.”
Part of the Coquimbo region, also with the Limari Valley, Elqui Valley is one of the northern wine producing regions of Chile, which historically focused on table grapes and pisco production. Intense sunlight and cooling effects of the ocean, together with rocky, clay soil make this one of Chile’s up-and-coming wine regions.