A Syrah that exudes a scent of pure, intense and fresh fruit, reminiscent of blackberries, elderberries, blueberries and some cassis. Cool notes of mint and eucalyptus swing along. The animating freshness continues on the palate. The red wine appears youthful, lively and fruity. The tannins and acidity are soft and mild and make it a great food companion to game dishes, beetroot with caramelised nuts and goat's cream cheese or a hearty porcini mushroom polenta. The grapes come from the Condrieux, Verin and Roussillon regions. A fascinating Syrah that will make the hearts of natural wine lovers beat faster. We recommend decanting the wine or opening it a few hours before drinking.

Attributes

Origin:	France
Grape variety:	Syrah
Label:	Certified organic or biodynamic wine
Ripening potential:	2 to 8 years after harvest
Drinking temperature:	16 to 18 °C
Food Pairing:	Moroccan specialities, Rabbit ragout with olives, Wild specialities, Risotto with ceps
Volume:	12.5 %
Note:	Contains sulphites

Producer

Maison Stéphan

Jean-Michel Stéphan has vinified more than 30 vintages of Côte-Rôtie and is one of the true masters of natural winemaking (vins naturels) in the northern Rhône region. His wines have a vibrant purity that makes them unmistakable, characterised by a balance of energy and transcendence that stems from his vision of making impeccable wines without any additives.

Grape variety

Syrah

A hint of pepper

The legend stubbornly persists that the Syrah variety came from the Persian city of Shiraz. Yet, researchers have shown that it is a natural crossing of two old French varieties: the red Dureza from the Rhône Valley and the white Mondeuse blanche from Savoy. Wines from Syrah are gentle and concentrated. They smell of dark berries, violets and liquorice, and amaze with a piquant touch of white pepper. As varietal wines, they are found on the northern Rhone, as in the Hermitage or Côte Rôtie appellations, as well as in Swiss Valais. In the southern Rhône Valley, Syrah is often wedded with Grenache and Mourvèdre. In 1832, a Frenchman brought the variety to Australia, where it became the emblem of the national wine industry. There, the weightiest versions develop with typical notes of tar and chocolate.

Country

France

France – Philosophy in a bottle

According to French philosophy, wine should be an expression of the soil and climate. They use the word “terroir” to describe this. Terroir makes every wine different, and many especially good. French wine is regarded worldwide as an expression of cultural perfection. The French believe that humans are responsible for the quality of the berries, the vine variety for their character, and nature for the quantity. This philosophy can be expressed succinctly as: “the truth is the vineyard, not the man.”