Syrah is one of Mauricio Lorca's favourite grape varieties; he loves its fickle nature, the bold influence it can bring to a blend and, most of all, the song it sings flying solo. This delicious Syrah packs a big, spicy, chocolate-infused punch in its youth but after a few years in bottle, as here, it mellows into a most sultry and complex wine, a delight if you fancy an askew take on the northern Rhône.
95% Syrah, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon

In each of the three ranges from this winery - Serbal, Catalpa and Atamisque - there is a blend, an assemblage. Catalpa Assemblage is comprised of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec in varying proportions depending on the vintage. 60% of this wine is aged for 12 months in new French oak barrels, 40% in stainless steel prior to blending and a further 6 months in bottle prior to release. Crafted in a fairly extravagant style this is a lovely, plump, velvet textured delight with clever use of oak in evidence, capable of developing very nicely for 8 - 10 years.