Nichol Vineyard Old Vines Syrah 2020

92POINTS

17/20

Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is the oldest syrah in Canada, planted own-rooted in 1990/91 on granite bedrock at the end of the Naramata Bench. After destemming, this fermented on skins in large open top fermenters before being basket pressed to neutral 500L French puncheons where it remained until going to bottle, unfined and unfiltered. Dusky wild plum, thorny wild blackberries, crushed stone, dried dark florals, tilled earth set the frame for this savoury, medium bodied syrah. Tannins are ample yet sunken into the fruit, gripping through the surface. A wine of gravitas, ready for your cellar.Tasted: 21 February 2023Tasted by: Prices:

$40.00

750ml

winery direct, private wine shops

Producer: Nichol Vineyard Distributors: Storied Wines & Spirits
Grape: Shiraz/SyrahUPC: 00626990093312

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90POINTS

16^½/20

Nichol Vineyard Old Vines Syrah 2020

Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaNichol first planted syrah back in 1990. The small block, totalling just 17 rows, is the oldest planting of syrah in Canada. It's stood the test of time, on own-rooted vines no less, and today produces one of the benchmark Okanagan bottlings. The winemaking is all about showcasing the fruit from these old vines. Fermented in small open-top fermenters and then basket pressed, aged in older 500-litre puncheons and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Bright and vibrant, it shows black raspberry and bramble, lifted by perfumed violets alongside savoury notes of cured meat and spice. It evolves every time you go back to the glass, and this will only continue to improve with time in bottle.Tasted: 28 November 2022Tasted by: Prices:

$40.00

750ml

winery direct, private wine shops

Producer: Nichol Vineyard Distributors: Storied Wines & Spirits
Grape: Shiraz/SyrahUPC: 00626990093312

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91POINTS

16^¾/20

Nichol Vineyard Old Vines Syrah 2020

Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaComing from Canada’s oldest syrah vines planted in Naramata, this deeply coloured syrah opens with brooding dark fruit and earthy notes. With only 12.4% abv declared, you would expect something light, but there’s ample dry extract here, making it meaty and chewy but not quite fleshy. Stripped down of any fat and flesh, it’s pretty tight and firm, with sufficient tannins and taut acidity to frame the dark fruit. It finishes with lingering flavours of spices and a subtle hint of iodine as well as a touch of sweetness. A serious wine with long ageing potential. Aerating for a couple of hours beforehand will help unmask the flavours.Tasted: 27 January 2023Tasted by: Prices:

$40.00

750ml

winery direct, private wine shops

Producer: Nichol Vineyard Distributors: Storied Wines & Spirits
Grape: Shiraz/SyrahUPC: 00626990093312

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