Inaugural Release

Syrah in South Okanagan is unique and deserves the attention of the world. Resulting wines are neither like the Shiraz’s we have come to know from Australia and South Africa, nor like the Syrah’s we have come to know from Rhone Valley and south of France.

The 2008 Syrah, comprised of 4 clones fermented with a few percent viognier was mostly grown on the Black Sage Bench with a little fruit blended from the Golden Mile. The resulting effort is a very complex wine. Even though the age of the vines are quite young, the resulting wine has surprised us and captivated us from vineyard to bottle.

Combining elements of both old world and new world, our Syrah is leaning more toward what you would expect from the old world - hence the name. Nuanced, elegant and refined. Black peppercorn rubbed steak, game, mélange of wild berries, bacon and smoke make up the aromatics and flavor profile of this wine. Tasting mighty fine already, this wine should deliver loads of pleasure upon release in Spring of 2011..

Recommended Food Pairing:
Black peppercorn crusted New York Steak helps to bring out more of the pepper nuances found in this wine.

Wine Press NorthWest - "Excellent"
"Golden Mile and Black Sage vineyard grapes were cropped down to 3.1 tons per acre. That begins to explain the condensed nature of this juice. A quick nosing draws in bacon fat, raspberry, blueberry, saddle leather and cigar. There's no disappointment on the palate, which drinks lively and evenly with smoky and peppery notes."

Icon Scores, Liam Carrier
89-90 Points
"...has 4% Viognier added during fermentation, in the form of pressed grape skins, to lift the aromatic qualities of the nose. Dark cherry, black pepper oil, oak and a touch of cola represent decent complexity in this inaugural vintage."

92 Points David Lawrason (Wine Align)
This is powerful and honest syrah in the sense of it being true to the northern Rhone model, and not being too oaky. It is sourced from Black Sage and Golden Mile fruit. The nose combines classic syrah black cherry, licorice, leather and dried herbs with and earthy back note. It's quite full bodied, luscious and warm on the palate with a sense of creaminess, then taut, tannic almost salty briny finish. Excellent length. I suspect it has a long life ahead.

92 Points John Szabo
"Serious player Le Vieux Pin has crafted a very fine 2008 syrah, with all of the signature savoury, tar, scorched earth and dried herb notes expected of a wine mid-way between old and new world in style; some medicinal flavours bring to mid South African syrah. The palate is well balanced, with fine-grained, integrated tannins, sufficient acidity to lend focus, and a relatively modest, thankfully, 13.9% alcohol. Wood notes are still apparent, so keep this in the cellar another 2-3 years for peak drinking. All in all, an elegant, food-friendly version with class and depth above the mean. Tasted May 2011."

Wine Diva
Produced from vineyards located on the Golden Mile and Black Sage Bench south of Oliver in the South Okanagan Valley, this first vintage Syrah spent 16 months in French oak barrels, one third of them new. It is Northern Rhone in style, with plenty of fruit. Aromas are sweet and earthy - black cherry and black berries cocoa, floral notes, plenty of pepper with a savoury supporting cast of roasted meat and dried herbs. The palate is rich and mouthfilling, the texture quite silky. Nice elegance and concentration with coffee flavours lingering across the finish.

Mike Nierychlo - "Great"
SMELL: Neat nose, plums and red currents, floral fresh cut violets, turkey jerky, ash and smoke. TASTE: Currents, plums, ash, floral, bright tart acidity, with tea and dark chocolate tannin, this wine is built for time, will really improve with time! SUMMARY: GOOD – GREAT now . . . Going to be AWESOME with time.

Unfortunately the 2008 Syrah is sold out, look for the 2009 edition coming this spring.

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