Great Grapes

SYRAH: • One of the most popular red varieties in the world • Possible name origins: Syracuse (city in Italy, speculated to be its place of origin); Shiraz (city in Iran); corruption of “Scyras,” by which it was originally known in Australia • “Old World home” in France’s northern Rhône region; now grown extensively in France, Italy, Spain, Australia, US, Chile, Argentina, South Africa • Bold red, blue and black fruit notes; purple and red flowers; peppery and meaty; big and firm structure

1) David Reynaud Cuvée Georges Reynaud ’10 – Crozes-Hermitage, France • Crozes-Hermitage is larger area surrounding prestigious Hermitage appellation • Soil is mixed alluvial clay, sand, pebbles • Mostly Syrah; can be mixed with up to 15% Roussanne and Marsanne • Characteristic violets and smoked meat, finer tannins and elegance • Biodynamic producer; average vine age for this bottling is over 30 years

2) Vernay Blonde du Seigneur ’08 – Côte-Rôtie, France • Côte-Rôtie = “roasted slopes” as these are steep, south-facing, sun-roasted vines peering down on the Rhône River • Soil is crumbly granite and schist • Mostly Syrah; can be mixed with up to 20% Viognier • Peppery, very black mineral-driven, juicy black and blueberries, bold yet elegant • Christine Vernay works with three hectares in the southern, granitic part of the AOP

3) Waters Tremolo Syrah ’10 – Walla Walla, Washington • Walla Walla AVA in southwest Washington; shared with Oregon • Soil is basalt bedrock with alluvial topsoil, cobblestones in some areas • Waters is known for single vineyard, “old world” style Syrahs from the “new world” • This is technically a blend, with 8% Grenache in a nod to the southern Rhône • Boysenberries, leather, cedar, smoked herbs

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4) Copain Syrah Tous Ensemble ’10 – Mendocino, California • Mendocino is north of Sonoma and Napa; includes sub-appellations which vary from cooler climate to much hotter depending on proximity to coast • Winemaker Wells Guthrie blends the fruit for this bottling from multiple vineyards: Tous Ensemble means “all together” • Wells trained with Michel Chapoutier in the Rhône; now his style navigates extroverted, California-style fruit with European restraint • Brambly red fruits, a little spice, softer and riper on the palate but still bright

5) Kingston Family Lucero Syrah ’09 – Casablanca, Chile • Casablanca in Chile is like Santa Barbara in California: cooler climate due to proximity to the coast; also a very new wine region • Soil is clay and granite • Lucero family had done cattle ranching in area from around 1906 until 1998, when they planted Pinot Noir and Syrah here • Sweeter spice, herbal notes and dark minerals

6) Dead Letter Office Shiraz ’08 – McLaren Vale, Australia • McLaren Vale in South Australia at base of a peninsula jutting into Gulf St. Vincent • Warm and very dry climate leads to riper grapes, which leads to a richer wine • Less spicy, more lush and plush with dark berry fruit and dark chocolate notes • Made by Henry’s Drive Wines, which is female-owned with a female winemaker