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WTN: A Syrah for Barossa fans

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Saina

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WTN: A Syrah for Barossa fans

by Saina » Tue Apr 06, 2010 3:46 pm

Viña San Pedro Syrah 1865 Limited Edition 2007 - 28,10€; 14,5% abv; 12 months in 50% new oak
From the Elqui Valley in Northern Chile - a relatively cool climate says the label. The scent is very oaky and seems more like a Barossa or other hot climate Shiraz with its dried fruit character. But on the palate one can see the influence of a cooler climate: though full bodied and fruity, it has good tannins, pleasantly high and refreshing (and seemingly natural - it seems integrated to all else and doesn't stick out like sore thumb) acidity. Much more refreshing than the scent suggested.

For those who like the Barossa style with a bit of proper structure, this will undoubtedly be a very good wine. And I really mean that! I've been subjected to quite a few Barossas in recent years because I have friends who have bad taste in wine ;) so I think I can, to some extent, step outside of my usual preferences and recognize the traits that make for a good wine when it comes to these other preferences. But just so this doesn't seem like too much aesthetic relativism on my part, I will insert a small put-down at the end: however, I wanted to sense more of the cool climate that the label so proudly talks about.
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Re: WTN: A Syrah for Barossa fans

by David M. Bueker » Tue Apr 06, 2010 7:06 pm

14.5% ABV is pretty cool climate for the Barossa. :D
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Re: WTN: A Syrah for Barossa fans

by Saina » Wed Apr 07, 2010 3:02 pm

David M. Bueker wrote:14.5% ABV is pretty cool climate for the Barossa. :D


Sadly, I think you are right. Why isn't it anymore possible to make low abv there? IIRC, some Barossa Shiraz from the '80s was only 12,5% - is this due to local climate change, or is bad viticulture to blame for this current trend?
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Re: WTN: A Syrah for Barossa fans

by David M. Bueker » Wed Apr 07, 2010 3:11 pm

Otto Nieminen wrote:IIRC, some Barossa Shiraz from the '80s was only 12,5% - is this due to local climate change, or is bad viticulture to blame for this current trend?


Incredible heat combined with incessant drought certainly leads to higher ABV.
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