2011 Syrah EQ

The 2011 EQ Syrah is from a flat vineyard with deep, granite-based soils worked biodynamically since 2004 in search of a classical spicy Syrah, serious and closed, harvested quite late, destemmed (but some stems are added back to the vat) and fermented with indigenous yeasts. The result is very dark and restrained, a classically proportioned Syrah with notes of black pepper, blueberries and violets, subtle smoke, and a juicy, textured palate with glossy tannins and an earthy, mineral-driven finish. Drink now-2018. Julio Bastias is the winemaker of Matetic Vineyards, which is in between the Casablanca and San Antonio appellations. I met with a bunch of winemakers from the zone and asked them to bring a couple of bottles each, and he showed up with bottled samples of the soil from each of the vineyards from the wines he brought along. The property has over 20,000 hectares but only 160 hectares are planted with vineyards, which are worked by biodynamic principles and have been fully certified since 2003. With such great wines here, I should try to visit them next time. One of the names that form the new Chile. Importer: Quintessential Wines, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 226-8300; fax (707) 226-8018; www.quintessentialwines.com

RS 2 g/l. 3.54 pH, TA 5.82 g/l. Green and medicinal on the nose; hard tannins and bitter finish on the palate. (RH)