2013 Le Sol Syrah
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The 2013 Le Sol is really very sedate on the nose, with a follow-up of a very fine palate as well. The wine has delicacy and detail in spades, which I like. It's like a shift of gears, a change of pace in this vertical. In the mouth, the wine is supple and perfumed in its way. I like it. It has satsuma plum, graphite, pressed lavender and pencil shavings—all things gray and purple. Good. Quiet. 13.1% alcohol, sealed under cork.
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Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Made by former head winemaker Matt Stafford when Steve Smith MW was in charge of Craggy Range. Dark purplish crimson. Big, bold and flashy, with cocoa notes. Winemaking triumphs over vineyard. Rather brutal, drying finish. (JR)
(13.1% alcohol; 35% new oak): Bright ruby. Serious, deep scents of blueberry, blackberry, menthol, spices and dried meat, plus a touch of chocolatey richness, with treble notes of rosemary and violet emerging with air. This very suave, saline Syrah shows nicely integrated acidity but is quite reserved today and is holding back on its peppery element. A distinctly intellectual style of Syrah with a tight finish featuring fine-grained tannins. (The 2014 tasted from tank two weeks prior to bottling conveyed a sappier quality to its black fruit, torrefaction and violet aromas and flavors. And despite the cooler summer and full crop load in Hawke's Bay, this energetic wine is carrying 14.5% alcohol. It offers 90-91 potential.)
Fermented in a mix of open-top oak vats and stainless-steel fermenters prior to 18 months' maturation in French oak barrels. Unnecessarily heavy bottle with a huge punt. Inviting peppery aroma with darkest of cherry fruit. Both floral and peppery on the palate with a dry, dark peppery texture but super-subtle. Dusty/stony finish and the finest of tannins. (JH)