Syrah « Wilson on Wines

Posts Tagged Syrah

SAINT JOSEPH CUVEE DU PAPYS, DOMAINE DU MONTEILLET 2013

Posted by admin on December 17, 2015

Saint Joseph Cuvée du Papy 2013, Domaine du Monteillet
13%

Stéphane Montez is a talented winemaker based in the Northern Rhône. I am a big fan of his inexpensive white and red wines, so I was delighted to receive a sample of the above wine, made from the oldest parcels of Syrah grown on granitic soils, and then aged in demi-muids for two years. St. Joseph generally offers great value for money, with plenty of really good red wines between €20-30. 2013 was a mixed vintage in the Northern Rhône, but I would have no hesitation buying this wine. Fragrant and elegant with very fine harmonious black cherry and damson fruits, this is ready to drink now although another year or two might improve it further. I Coravined (is that a verb?) my bottle and will return to it this weekend. Sadly the importer has sold out of this wine, but I understand both Redmond’s in Ranelagh and Green Man Wines in Terenure have it for sale at €36.95. In fine wine terms, this represents very good value.

Tags: Domaine du Monteillet, Northern Rhone, Saint Joseph, Syrah

Posted in: Top Drop

Aldi The Exquisite Collection Crozes-Hermitage 2013

Posted by admin on September 4, 2015

12.5%
€12.99

This is pretty good,and almost excellent if you like the Northern Rhône. It has very good elegant lifted peppery syrah aromas, light on the palate, and a drying finish. If it had a touch more fruit I would say brilliant; as it is not bad at all.

One to try with cold meats, charcuterie and cheese.

Crozes-Hermitage is the largest appellation of the Northern Rhône, and is dominated by one co-operative. I suspect this wine comes from the Cave de Tain, responsible for almost half of all Crozes. As with all of the Aldi Exquisite Collection, it is signed by the winemaker, but I have never been able to decipher one. If you like (as I do) light slightly austere peppery wines then this is one for you. If you prefer big Aussie Shiraz, steer well clear!

Tags: Aldi, Rhone, Syrah

Posted in: Daily Drop

Gaia S 2010, Koutsi Hillside Vineyard, P.G.I Peleponnese, Greece

Posted by admin on July 2, 2015

14%
€23.49

Available from O’Briens

Made from a blend of the indigenous Agiorgtiko and Syrah, this is a lovely mature wine; sweet ripe red fruits with a tantalising savoury kick from the Syrah; a little new oak still lingering; full-bodied and rounded with good length.

I am a big fan of the Gaia wines and of Greek wines in general. Any country with wines called Lesbos and Drama deserves our attention. With a history of winemaking going back 4,500 years and three hundred indigenous grape varieties, the country should be sweeping all before it. Somehow it hasn’t quite happened yet, but if it does, I am sure that guys like the amiable professorial Yannis Paraskevopoulos of Gaia will have played a large part in that success. The other winery on Santorini produces a superb white Assyrtiko.

Tags: Gaia, Greece, Syrah

Posted in: Top Drop