2021 Syrah - Further Afield Series

Our Further Afield Series has emerged out of a desire for our winemaking team to explore British Columbia’s most revered varieties, beyond our vineyard borders. Sourced from compelling sites but crafted with a Tantalus perspective.

We adore Syrah for its expressive, bold character and rich density and winemaker David Paterson and proprietor Eric Savics felt it was high time to work with this variety under the Tantalus family of wines. We hope you enjoy the inaugural results of this endeavour, further afield.

A vibrant deep garnet in colour in the glass, this Syrah release is beautifully lifted with intense notes of violets and blue fruits, alongside touches of charcuterie, anise and licorice. Intriguing hints of white pepper, cedar sap and cherry candy add a wonderful complexity to the nose. The palate is very juicy, with loads of blackberry, dark plum and black cherry present. A little peppery baking spice and red licorice complement the palate. The finish is long and lifted with great clarity and minerality. The tannins are fine grained and very well integrated.

WINEMAKER'S NOTES

The Syrah entered the winery at the end of our on site harvest season in perfectly ripe condition from Blind Creek vineyard, located in the Similkameen Valley. Strikingly different to our East Kelowna soils and climatic conditions, the vineyard plot sits on a gentle slope, comprised of broken granite and stony soils. This unique site is nestled against the mountain, which provides heat reflection back on to the vineyard, offering ideal ripening conditions for this fuller body red variety.

Four separate batches of fruit were vinified, each one fermented at slightly different temperatures with different yeasts (including some wild fermentation). Ferments took place over various lengths of time to gain layers and complexity. The wine was then pressed and settled to French oak barrels, of which 15% were new. Further élevage took place in barrel for 11 months of maturing before racking and a gentle filtration. The wine was bottled in late summer of 2022.

TECHNICAL INFO

Varietal: 100% Syrah
Alcohol: 14.67%
Residual Sweetness: 0.33 g/L
pH: 3.62
Total Acidity: 6.3 g/L

• VINTAGE NOTES

  Weather patterns in the Similkameen weren‘t too far off what we experienced in the Okanagan Valley. The vintage was marked by an average start for bud break, but as Springtime temperatures warmed dramatically, growth was quick. Hot temps and marginal rainfall would persist until summer and in late June an extreme weather event, resulting in the 2021 heat dome, coincided with flowering in many parts of the valley.
  
  The extreme heat at such a sensitive time in the grapes’ development resulted in smaller than average berries, clusters and lower yields but the resulting wines are highly concentrated and when made well, crafted to age.