Theme of the month - SYRAH - March 2013
Hi everyone,
this month will be a first. After blogging for almost 2,5 years , I am going back to my first ever theme : Syrah.
My first introduction ever is really fun to read (link), and you can sense that I had no clue whatsoever where this blogging thing was heading. 2,5 years further down the road, it strikes me that I have actually come a long way, although I will always have that feeling that I’ve just started the journey of discovery. The feeling of full accomplishment will never be there I guess.
So, why did I decide to go back to Syrah? There are 3 reasons.
- Syrah is a fantastic grape : It combines a very athletic body with a sophisticated fragrance of herbs and black pepper.
- I have already tasted great examples and very bad ones at the same time in almost any price range. Tasting a great Syrah is pure heaven, tasting a bad one (very fleshy and animal-like) sucks and makes my love-hate relationship with the grape grow. High expectations you know…
- Last week, I visited the new wine shop of Chai & Bar in Brussels and asked them to propose me a theme, and we ended up having a long conversation about Cabernet Franc and Syrah … and I got so curious to taste Syrah again that I bought the 4 wines for this theme.
Here are the soldiers of Syrah:
1. MOOIPLAAS - Stellenbosch - Shiraz 2003 €13,90
2. Y. CUILLERON - Saint-Joseph - “Les Pierres Sèches” 2010 €19,90
3. DOMAINE DES MASQUES - Essentiele, Syrah 2011 €7,90
4. R. BINDER - Barossa Valley - Hales Shiraz 2010 €15,00
I have to admit that it is difficult to find a good Syrah for around €10. You can easily find them under €10 as a Rhône valley wine, but if you want a “real” Syrah or Shiraz you are immediately at €14 or more…
I hope I will be able to put a lot of LOVE at the end of every review, and very little HATE. See you soon with wine #109!
Cheers, JDR