2018 Syrah Keir

The 2018 Keir very much stands out in this set of new releases from Tua Rita. A passion project and something of an intellectual challenge accepted mutually by Stefano Frascolla and Luca D'Attoma, this is Syrah fermented in Tuscan amphorae with six months of skin contact (followed by four months in neutral oak). This vintage is especially delicate and pure, and one important reason for this is the growing season that was extended by 15 days in this 2018 vintage. That extra time allowed the fruit to mature slowly according to its own time table. This is a luxury that is appreciated by Syrah in particular. The wine emerges with delicate, almost fragile aromas of wild rose, wet earth, violets and crushed black pepper. Syrah is very expressive of territory and vintage, and this wine speak of classic Tuscany. It is naked in its purity. A precious few 4,000 bottles were made, and the wine's release date is October 2020. Keir represents a "new wave" of thinking from Tua Rita, and we will soon have a white version made with Ansonica grapes (also fermented in amphorae) from 100-year-old vines. That wine will be bottled this summer.