2020 Le Sol Syrah
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Tasting notes
The 2020 Le Sol is open and attractive on the nose, with layers of blackberry, raspberry, hints of licorice and clove, a whiff of orange peel, black tea and pencil shavings. In the mouth, the wine is silky and full; it expands without being heavy. The flavors cascade and tumble over each other as they reach for the long and elongated finish. It's an incredibly classy, structural, detailed wine of poise and presence. Blackberry and blueberry are distinctly etched into the aftertaste. We know these wines age with grace and eloquence, but it is also wonderful on release. It is worth waiting for, if you are of the patient persuasion. If not, go forth; you won't be disappointed. It fermented with 60% whole bunch and spent 30 to 40 days on the skins (depending on the fermenting vat). This assists with texture. Overextraction is not a problem given the low alcohols. It matured in French puncheons and larger format (Stockinger 2,400 liters). 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
Critic scores
Average Score
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Tom Parker MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
The 2020 Syrah Le Sol is bloody good. It offers the drinker an appetizing raspberry-fruited opening. It's a succulent and suave initially, but on the finish it opens a new chapter, showing the tension and sinew of whole clusters fermentation (40%), driving the wine forward with persistence and energy. While ripe and having the right amount of puppy fat to get your teeth into, this wine also shows freshness, cool climate spice and lift. The tannins are abundant yet resolved.
Le Sol is a barrel selection from a block farmed specially. 60% whole bunch to 'beautify' the wine. Transparent, light and fresh. Very sprightly – very different from the regular bottling. Racy. Clean and fresh. (JR)
Full screwcapped bottle all of 1,562 g. 100% Syrah planted 19 to 21 years ago north–south on alluvial gravel on silt, picked 5 to 12 April. Aged for 17 months in French oak (38% new). Transparent crimson. Seems to have been distinct dialling down of winemaking here – even if not of bottle weight. Really quite demure. Not to say timid. It's determinedly not flashy but what does it deliver instead?Just a tiny bit dull at the moment. Quite a bit of tannin. May blossom eventually …? (JR)