Occupy Syrah: Viva la Revolucion!

In a conversation about a movement afoot in the then Kingdom of France; the King and one of his counselors had a conversation that went something like this "Is it a rebellion?" asked Louis XVI of the count who informed him of the fall of the Cabernet. "No, sire," came the reply. "It is a revolution." Indeed it's a revolution to take back Syrah's rightful place in the cellars of wine-lovers, cork-dorks and even the garden variety vino-sapien. It's time to expose those 1% grapes for what they are, hogs of the lime-light, currying wine lovers favor with its fat over-oaked flair, flauting its grape growing superiority and market saturation. It's time to strike back, it's time to occupy Syrah.

I already have a beautiful wine open from a wonderful producer down-under, a winery called Chapel Hill Wine sitting in the wonderfully beautiful McLaren Vale AVA. You'll will find their winery tucked-in between the vast rolling hills and a picturesque coastline. Where a quick and highly recommend visit will introduce you McLaren Vale’s Mediterranean climate. A climate that has created ideal conditions for grape-growing and ensured that the region is recognized as a leader in environmentally sustainable viticulture. We say Syrah, they say Shiraz, but I say delicious.

Wow, in the glass this wine is a stunningly dark crimson color, great extraction. The wine rested in 300 liter Oak Hogsheads [meaning oak played a much lesser role] for about 20 months before being bottled in November of 2009 before arriving in my glass here in San Diego. A wine that has traveled a long way, to put a large smile on my face.

A velvet rope of flavor and finesse, a bit of chalky chocolate, ripe blackberry, dark cherry and plum, laid over smooth tannins and knit together nicely with a pop of acidity. Wow, nicely done my score is 91 points, made in a drink now and drink often style that has room to lay down for a few years. It has a suggested SRP of $39.99 but the savvy wine drinker can find this gem selling for $25 and that is a very nice price.

It's time to storm the walls of complacency, it's time to get down with the Rhone Zone. If you agree I hope you will consider to please join us at the Occupy Syrah event today on Wine Wednesday, be sure to use the hash-tag #OccupySyrah to join the conversation. I hope to see you there. Until next time sip long and prosper cheers!