Que Syrah, Syrah!

Following on from our recent offer, celebrating the virtues of the Viognier, it seems only fitting to showcase the grape variety that really excels in these regions, the Syrah!

Now is not the time for a history lesson, or an in-depth study of the Syrah, but suffice to say that the grape is grown in a multitude of wine regions around the world today. That being said, one of the earliest regions where the variety was recorded and most importantly, the region whose wines shot the variety to fame, is the Rhone valley. Although the power, complexity and longevity of the great wines of Hermitage had been appreciated since the 18^th and early 19^th Century, (when in those early days, their main role had been to blend with the wines of Bordeaux), it was the influence of wine journalists, in particular, Robert Parker, who really propelled the Rhone and Syrah to global stardom, when he chose to award his coveted 100 points, to select wines of the Hermitage and Cote Rotie.

The style of wine produced, understandably reflect the climate and terroir they are grown in, as well as the viticultural practices and methods of vinification and elevage.  As with the Viognier wines, this case showcases three super Syrah wines, two coming from a couple of our favourite producers of the Northern Rhone and the third from Cortona, the ‘Rhone enclave’ of Tuscany.

The renowned estate of Jean-Michel Gerin is acknowledged as one of the leading producers of Cote Rotie. Vinified with the same dedication as their exceptional wines from Cote Rotie, Gerin’s La Champine Syrah is produced from vineyards in Ampuis and the Ardeche, from organically cultivated vines. The grapes are 100% destemmed and fermented and aged in vat, in order to retain the wonderful purity and freshness of fruit. Vibrant and refined.

From another corner of the northern Rhone, the wonderfully characterful, Le Moulin Syrah of Domaine Dumien Serrette, brilliantly highlights the influence of terroir. In comparison to the estate of Gerin, which is approaching 20 ha of vines, Nicolas Serrette’ s family estate in Cornas, totals a mere 3ha. Historically, like many vine growers in the appellation, Dumien Serrette, would sell their grapes to the big negociants, until Gilbert Serrette, chose to commence producing their own wine here in 1983. Run today by Gilbert’s son, Nicolas, the domaine is full of charm and their traditionally crafted wines, beautifully capture the essence of Cornas.

In Cortona, Fabrizio Dionisio was finally able to achieve his childhood dream to become a vigneron in the 1990s. The family’s holiday home, Il Castagno, was perfectly located, but with an insufficient area under vine, to be a viable wine producer. With the purchase of a second, nearby estate in 1993, Fabrizio was finally able to follow his vision to transform the vineyards and fulfil his vision. Syrah has been grown in Cortona for over a century and Fabrizio had no doubt that this was the variety that he should focus on. His aim has always been to create a Syrah that would sit proudly alongside the most famous examples, but that would also reflect the individuality of Cortona. To create wines with soul. Thanks to their great terroir and non-intervention, the wines here possess great minerality, complexity and finesse.

The Que Syrah, Syrah selection incudes two bottles each of the following wines –

2022 La Champine Syrah, Domaine Gerin
Offering terrific value, this is a well-crafted and approachable young Syrah from the Northern Rhône. The La Champine offers notes of blackberries, raspberries, violets and peppercorn on the nose. Incredibly silky and smooth on the palate, it is medium-bodied and well rounded in the mouth, with red-fruit flavours alongside hints of thyme and sage. The finish is long and mouthwatering. This is an uncomplicated but stylish Syrah, with real purity and finesse.

2023 VdF, Le Moulin Syrah, Dumien Serrette
A handpicked collection of pure, 100% Syrah from young vine vineyards situated across the tracks from Cornas, cultivated on stony, alluvial soils. This is a fruity, vivacious red that mirrors the smoky depth of Cornas with the juicy essence typical of the finest Crozes-Hermitage. Hand-picked and fermented using native yeasts in tanks, this wine is gently trodden by foot. It’s aged for about a year in seasoned French oak barrels, that are typically older than six to seven years, and is bottled without fining or filtering. Only 2,000 bottles of this cuvée are produced. Deep purple in the glass this wine sings with a bouquet of black and red cherries, a hint of light baking spice, and earthy undertones. On the palate, you are greeted with juicy, bright fruit that is both lively and lush, complemented by a nuanced herbal spice. This is a ‘mini’ Cornas in all but name and represents astonishing value for the quality in the bottle.

2022 Syrah Cortona DOC, Castagnino, Fabrizio Dionisio
The family consider the Cortona Syrah Castagnino the “little brother” of their esteemed Syrah, Il Castagno, offering a more approachable style. Part-de-stemmed, the wine is fermented and aged in cement tank for early release, to produce in Fabrizio’s words, a ‘friendly and drinkable Syrah, but one that is never banal or bland’. It pours from the bottle with dark intensity and offers lush aromas and tantalizing flavours of plum, dark cherries, wild blackberries, and juniper berries and subtle spice. Floral and pleasantly herbaceous traits add a layer of complexity to the overall profile. This wine possesses a soft and rich character, making it a perfect companion for outdoor barbecues and easy home dinners.