Varietal

Syrah

Appellation

California, Santa Barbara County

Style

Red

Price

£

9.99

Stockist

Oddbins

WOW Rating

90

Date Reviewed

7/31/2006

Rich red fruit with creamy elements abound. Syrah is a red grape variety known for its spicy, peppery black fruit aromas, as well as a smokiness, perhaps with scents of leather.

The oldest of the "noble" wine varieties, Syrah dates back to Roman times, when it was grown in France's Rhône Valley. A few famous Northern Rhône wines made from Syrah are Hermitage, Côte Rôtie, Saint-Joseph and Cornas. In the southern Rhône, Syrah is blended with other varieties such as Grenache, Mourvèdre and Cinsault to make Châteauneuf-de-Pape. It is also used in many wines labeled Côtes-du-Rhône.

The Avila blend is 100% Syrah and the abv is 13.8%. It is aged 50% in American oak and 50% French oak. The winemaker is Erik Hickey. The soil is well-drained gravel with sandy loam. Learn more at www.avilawine.com.

Review by Darryl Beeson, Wine on the Web American Editor