DeLille Doyenne Signature Syrah 2011

Grand Veneur Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes 2011 (Magnum) is made from 50% Grenache, 40% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah. The vines are 50 to 100+ year old. They are planted on red clay soils covered with pebble stones.
Yield: 30 hl/ha
Aged for 18 months in oak barrels.
 

Showing similar aromatics, with copious toast, licorice, wood spice, black raspberry and crushed flowers, the Grand Veneur 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes possesses awesome depth and richness, full-bodied power and a blockbuster finish. A blend of 40% Grenache, 40% Mourvedre and 20% Syrah (from 5-to-100+-year-old vines) that spent 16 month in 60% small barrels, it is a brilliant 2011 that will have 15+ years of longevity. Hats off to the Jaume brothers for this superb effort. Wine Advocate #209 95 Points

Kershaw Syrah Deconstructed Groenland Bokkeveld Shale SH9c is made from 100 percent Syrah.

The inspiration for this Syrah stems from my belief that the Elgin region has both a signature grape as well as particular terroirs within its demarcated boundary that reflect regional credentials. This Syrah was selected from a sub-region of Elgin from a specific vineyard and an individual clone : SH9c

Sourced from a single parcel in the Northern part of Elgin the 9c clone when planted in cooler areas is known to produce wines that are well scented, delicately balanced and savory. They are medium in weight resonating elegance, finesse of tannin, and purity of fruit, the flavors revealing more white pepper, violet/lavender, Victoria plum and iodine. They tend to exude freshness and energy with lively acidity giving precision to the wine. On Bokkeveld Shales it brings amplified perfume, more structural integrity and concentration to the flavor.

Vineyards: Age of the vines is 10 years-old

The grapes were handpicked under autumnal skies into small lug baskets and then manually sorted on a conveyor before the stems were removed. The destemmed berries fell onto a vibrating table in order to remove jacks and substandard berries before dropping uncrushed into a small 500kg conical hopper and forklifted into open-topped fermenters. The grapes underwent a 3-day maceration before spontaneous fermentation began. A gentle pigeage program was charted and the grapes remained on skins for 26 days. The wine was then racked to barrel under gravity and the remaining pomace basket-pressed. Malolactic then proceeded in barrel followed by a light sulfuring and 17-month maturation. No finings were necessary and the wine was simply racked and bottled unfiltered.

Review:

Vibrant, effusive aromas of blackberry with savory notes. Rich and ripe on the palate showing dense fruit flavors accented by lavender and cracked pepper. Aged 17 months in 500L French oak, 45% new."

- International Wine Review (Richard Kershaw Lifts Elgin To New Heights, February 2019), 93 pts

Kershaw Syrah Deconstructed Lake District Cartref SH22 is made from 100 percent Syrah.

The inspiration for this Syrah stems from my belief that the Elgin region has both a signature grape as well as particular terroirs within its demarcated boundary that reflect regional credentials. This Syrah was selected from a sub-region of Elgin from a specific vineyard and an individual clone.

Sourced from a single parcel in the Western part of Elgin, the 22 clone produces fuller, well-colored yet finely structured wines. They tend to be more concentrated as yields are low with more black fruit, black pepper and meaty notes. The Cartref soils, a mixture of decomposed sandstone, pebbles and quartz, add gracefulness and heighten the fruit intensity.

The grapes were handpicked under autumnal skies into small lug baskets and then manually sorted on a conveyor before the stems were removed. The destemmed berries fell onto a vibrating table in order to remove jacks and substandard berries before dropping uncrushed into a small 500kg conical hopper and forklifted into open-topped fermenters. The grapes underwent a 3-day maceration before spontaneous fermentation began. A gentle pigeage (punch-down of the cap) program was charted and the grapes remained on skins for 26 days. The wine was then racked to barrel under gravity and the remaining pomace basket-pressed. Malolactic then proceeded in barrel followed by a light sulfuring and 17-month maturation. No finings were necessary and the wine was simply racked and bottled unfiltered.

Review:

"Rich, ripe fruit with a note of cooking spice on the nose. Very dense on the palate with terrific peppery black fruit (think St. Joseph) at the core and minerals. Long, graceful finish. Sourced from a single parcel of only the SH22 clone. Matured 17 months in 228L French oak, 45% new."

- International Wine Review (Richard Kershaw Lifts Elgin To New Heights, February 2019), 93 pts

Very vibrant and incredibly deep and colorful. The nose begins with black cherry, crème de cassis, black and blue fruit and even hints of floral. The French Oak moves in with a colorful spice box nuance with a longer take in the glass. On the palate this wine crescendos with velvet all around. There is an enveloped warmth and richness right away at the focal point in the mouth. Flavors swirl and build and on into the back for a huge finish of ripe blackberry jam. 

Complex and compelling, this estate-grown Syrah sends up smoky notes of cured meat, nougat and caramel. Black cherry fruit anchors the barrel notes, and it just gets more and more delicious as it winds its way across the palate. This demonstrates classy winemaking and perfect balance.

The fruit for this wine is grown at an elevation of 1310 feet on the grounds of the Winery. The higher elevation and the proximity to the Blue Mountains, gives this vineyard a longer, cooler ripening season than most other areas of the Walla Walla Appellation. The cooler site results in a style much like that of a classic Northern Rhone with complexity and balance without the concentration and higher alcohol levels of Syrah produced in warmer areas.

Review:

"(from the estate's Mill Creek Upland vineyard): Bright full ruby. Lively butt but subdued scents of cassis, blackberry, minerals, brown spices, violet and licorice; showing a distinctly dark side of Syrah. Intensely flavored, firm and juicy; not a particularly fleshy or pliant style but offers lovely inner-mouth violet lift and a dense weave to the flavors of dark berries and minerals. This serious Syrah boasts a firm spine of acids and tannins and finishes with sneaky persistence. Dry, laid-back and rather classic wine, in need of time in bottle to expand and gain in complexity. (14.7% alcohol) - Stephen Tanzer"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (November 2018), 92 pts

Argot Mosaic Syrah  is made from 87% Syrah, 13% Grenache (10 years old)

An impressively rich, intensely flavored wine with significant body and structure. A Syrah that hearkens to the wild, spice-driven Syrahs of the Southern Rhone.

Review:

"Refined and stylish, featuring a complex core wrapped in multilayered blackberry and blueberry flavors, laced with bitter chocolate, black licorice and smoky meat notes. Drink now through 2030.- Tim FISH"
- Wine Spectator Insider (January 15th 2020), 93 PTS