Wine Reviews

Review: 2017 Le Vieux Pin Syrah “Cuvee Classique”

Tonight I’m excited to be sipping on my absolute favourite wine for my very first tasting review. Why not start things off on a good note, right?

Let me introduce you.

The Syrah “Cuvee Classique” is one of three Syrah’s made by Le Vieux Pin, in the Okanagan Valley. Each of their Syrah’s has it’s own unique characteristics, and sit at different price points, so whatever your taste, whatever your budget, you can find one you like. For me, it’s this powerhouse of a bottle, that sits in the middle at $50. Not cheap, but 100% worth it.

To be fair, Le Vieux Pin is one of the wineries I used to work at, so I might be a bit biased. But I loved their product so much that when I left, I joined their wine club, to make sure I could continue to get my Syrah fix. Have yet to find one better!

So let’s dive into this particular vintage: 2017.

The great thing about the way the Le Vieux Pin wine labels are designed is that all the information you need is spelled out for you.

It’s 100% Syrah. No other varietals mixed in there.

They harvested 3.2 tons of grapes per acre. Lower yields are a good indicator of better quality grapes, because more of the soils nutrients are going into less grapes. That means more flavour. I love a winery that’s willing to sacrifice quantity for quality.

It’s unfined and lightly filtered, so there may be some sediment. That’s fine, we’re not going to be chugging it.

It was aged in French oak barrels for 18 months, and 24.5% of those barrels were new. That’s quite a long time, and the new oak will bump up that structure even more. Personally, I’m a fan of oak.

They made 378 cases. That’s 4,536 bottles. Le Vieux Pin is a small batch winery, which makes their wines difficult to find “out in the wild”. Make sure you swing by the winery if you’re ever in town.

And finally, it’s 14% alcohol. It’s a big wine! Now let’s get to tasting.

THE LOOK

This wine is intense in colour; a super deep ruby with violet edges.

The legs run slow and thick.

THE AROMAS

I give my glass a swirl and the aromas are already leaping out at me from afar. I’ve been letting it breathe in the glass while I’ve been typing so far, and used an aerator for the initial pour.

The classic pepper notes hit me first, followed swiftly by rich, dark fruit. I’m still developing my nose, so I rely on the Wine Folly aroma wheel for inspiration when I’m trying to figure out what it is that I’m smelling. Red plum, black currant, dates, and a hint of olives are what I’m picking up with my first pass through.

I’m also picking up light hints of leather and baking spices that hint at it’s time spent in oak.

As part of my personal wine studies, I picked up a wine aroma kit called Le Nez du Vin, and I like to use it to help me pick up things I’m not familiar with in the second round.

I realise that I’m smelling more red currant than black currant, and hint of prune as well.

THE PALATE

Love at first sip. I actually just swallowed it before doing any analysing. I couldn’t help myself!

Ok, for real this time.

Let’s start by breaking down the structural components:

It’s definitely dry. I’d go as far as bone dry. Ain’t no sugar here.

The tannins jump out next, but aren’t overpowering. They feel grippy on the sides of my tongue, but don’t totally dry out my gums. I’d still classify it as high though. Definitely enough there to be able to age the bottle, but not so much that it can’t be enjoyed now.

The acidity is at a good level to balance out the tannins. I feel my mouth starting to water. Delicious!

Of course, as we already could have guessed, this wine is full bodied all the way.

I feel the heat from the alcohol in the back of my throat, which is to be expected from a 14% alcohol wine, but it’s at a level that matches the rest of the wine.

As for flavour, there’s that pepper front and centre again. On the palate, I’d say those fruit flavours are even darker than on the nose. I’m back to black currant, black cherry, plums, figs, and olives. Very savoury.

Now I wish I was eating steak instead of microwave lasagna…..

The finish is nice and long but I’m usually craving another sip before the last of the flavour is gone.

CONCLUSION

I think I need a refill.

I am never disappointed by this wine and 2017 has been no exception. I’m really glad my fall wine club shipment isn’t too far away now….

If you manage to snag a bottle for yourself, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Want to learn more about Syrah? Check out my Wine Baby’s Guide to Syrah/Shiraz, here.