Last night got to try and compare Syrah from NZ and another from Swiss. As a Kiwi I tried not to think about the Alinghi victory over Team New Zealand in the 2003 America’s Cup competition…
Both wines showed clear cool climate Syrah characteristics and were made in an elegant undetstated style. Sadly I gave the edge to the Swiss over my native NZ wine in the end (beaten again by the swiss, sigh)…
2007 Biliancia La Collina Syrah:
From a small 2 acre terraced steep hillside vineyard overlooking the NZ Hawkes Bay Gimblett Gravels area. Produces about 120 cases per year and is made in a Nth Rhone Cote Rotie idiom rather than bigger riper Aussie style that most Kiwis associate with Syrah/Shiraz. First vintage was 2002 so vines are still young.
Strong pepper and spice on nose with some floral notes. Bright crunchy red fruited palate with more black pepper and spice coming through. Fine grained tannins and nice framing acidity provide for a smooth and harmonious balance. Oak treatment is gentle and plays supporting role. Lighter bodied more elegant style of Syrah. Perhaps it lacks a bit of mid palate richness. Very good. Very drinkable right now.
2008 Cayas Syrah de Valais Reserve:
A completely new wine for me. I know next to nothing about Swiss red wines tbh… This was bought directly from winery and brought back to USA by very noble man (bad joke, he works for Noble Drilling). Wine is made by Jean Rene Germanier who is 3rd generation wine maker.
Much more smokey, meaty nose compared with La Collina but still has cool climate pepper and spice character. Fruit profile is more in the plum range and some gwntle oak spice. refined tannins and nice finish. Definitely more suavage wild in style but very expressive with more mid palate depth and a bit more complexity. Impressive wine and also drinking very well right now.
Both wines had similar structure and flavour profiles. Middle weight wines with fine tannins and clear cool climate syrah character. Both were well judged nicely made wines; I liked them both but gave the edge to the Cayas for greater complexity and a bit more depth.
Brodie