Viña Arboleda 2009 Syrah - 87pts

Viña Arboleda 2009 Syrah (Aconcagua Valley) Chile

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $21.99
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: March 2nd, 2012

Tasting Notes: A quality, cool-climate Syrah from the Aconcagua Valley offering pronounced aromatics on the nose with both fruit and savoury flavours on the palate. Violets and rose petal aromas are followed by concentrated raspberry, coffee grinds, smoke, mineral and black pepper notes. Finish is a bit short for the price point. Crisp acidity makes this a fine vin de table. Drink 2012-2016.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Cave Saint Desirat 2009 Syrah - 85pts

Cave Saint Desirat 2009 Syrah (Vin de Pays d'Ardeche) France

Availability: BCLDB stores
Cost: $15
Alcohol: 12.5%
Date Tasted: March 12th, 2012

Tasting Notes: Produced from fruit grown in the Northern Rhone AOC of Saint-Joseph but of lower quality and unable to be labeled as such. This Syrah, branded for the export market, delivers reasonable typicity for Rhone Valley Syrah offerring rustic funk and earthy garrique aromas with raspberry seed and ripe plum flavours. The balance is a tad sharp and the funky nose may not appeal to Old World wine beginners, but there is plenty of character for a $15 bottle of wine that is worth exploring. Drink 2012-2014.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Viña Tamaya 2010 Reserve Syrah - 88-89pts

Viña Tamaya 2010 Reserve Syrah (Limari Valley) Chile

Availability: BCLDB stores. Spec order
Cost: $19
Alcohol: 14%
Date Tasted: March 2nd, 2012

Tasting Notes: Inspired by Northern Rhone vinification techniques, this Syrah is co-fermented with 5% Viognier and aged in French oak for 9-12 months creating an enticing Syrah with good minerality and aromatic elements. Black olive, violet, blackberry and dark cherry characters aplenty. Sits bright in the mouth with strong acid and tannins and would benefit from another year of bottle aging. Drink 2013-2017.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

De Martino 2008 Alto Los Toros Syrah - 91pts

De Martino 2008 Alto Los Toros Syrah (Elqui Valley) Chile

Availability: Limited. Private wine stores or special order
Cost: $45
Alcohol: 14.4%
Date Tasted: March 2nd, 2012

Tasting Notes: At 1600m above sea level, the Elqui Valley vineyards which produce the fruit for this impressive Syrah and Petit Verdot blend (85-15%), are some of the highest altitude plantings in the world. The result is an excellent, dense, cool-climate Syrah with concentrated licorice, vanilla and red fruit flavours and loads of spicy, mineral notes. Big, cracked pepper flavours linger on the long finish. Drink 2012-2016+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca

Viña Ventisquero 2007 Pangea Syrah - 91-92pts

Viña Ventisquero 2007 Pangea Syrah (Alpalta) Colchagua Valley - Chile

Availability: Limited. Private wine stores
Cost: $59.99
Alcohol: 14.5%
Date Tasted: March 2nd, 2012

Tasting Notes: Another great Chilean Syrah produced under the direction of former Penfold's Grange winemaker John Duval (who knows a few things about how to make a tasty Syrah) offering complexity, elegance and a pure expression of the Rhone Valley variety. A full bodied wine that although offers plenty of classic Syrah red fruit notes, tends to be memorable for its layers of savoury and robust characters like smoked meats and white pepper. A cool, mineraly palate has fine, developed tannins and a moderate-plus finish of subtle, lingering spice. Drink 2012-2020+.
 - Liam Carrier ©copyright 2012 IconWines.ca