ERRAZURIZ | La Cumbre | Syrah | 2019
syrah | viognier

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Founded in 1870 by Don Maximiano Errázuriz in the Aconcagua Valley, Viña Errázuriz has built a legacy on its pioneering spirit and an unwavering commitment to quality. Back in 1993, the winery introduced the Syrah grape variety to Chile, planting the country’s first vines in their unique terroir. La Cumbre is their ultimate expression of this bold, but at the same time delicate, grape variety – it represents the pinnacle of Syrah – a wine crafted from the estate’s very best vineyards, showcasing the culmination of decades of experience, innovation, and a deep understanding of the Aconcagua Valley’s potential to produce world-class, iconic wines.
The wine we are going to review today hardly requires any introduction, as it is one of Chile‘s iconic wines – a true legend that is considered among the world’s best wines – La Cumbre Syrah 2019 by Viña Errázuriz. In a world where bolder is better, syrah is the perfect choice, as it is darker and spicier than cabernet sauvignon and contains a high amounts of health-invigorating antioxidants. Syrah, also known as Shiraz, and can be vinified in two major styles: old-world style and new-world style. The old-world syrah wines tend to have more acidity and displays earthy-herbaceous aromas on the nose, while the new-world shiraz wines are usually dusty and fruit-forward, with lots of spice and nuanced hints of smoke.

This iconic syrah (96%) is co-fermented with a dash of viognier (4% – which is a white grape variety) – a classic Northern Rhône technique that adds a subtle floral lift, stabilizes the wine’s deep color, and contributes to a silkier texture and a leaner palate. The grapes were sourced from the estate’s famous MAX I and MAX V vineyards. The 2019 vintage was marked by a dry season with a warm start and a cool finish, conditions that fostered excellent concentration and complexity in the grapes. In order to soften the tannins and add an extra layer of aromatic sophistication, the wine has been aged for an extensive 22 months in a combination of french oak barrels (60% new oak) and large Stockinger foudres, followed by an additional 18 months of bottle aging before it was deemed ready for the market release.

The Aconcagua Valley, located about 100 km north of Santiago, between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes, has a mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers, cool winters, and around 250 mm of annual rainfall, moderated by Pacific breezes and diurnal shifts from altitude and oceanic flow. The Vineyards enjoy elevations between 50m on the valley floors and 1000m at the foothills of the Andes, benefiting from river-fed alluvial and granitic-clay soils with rocky, well-drained surfaces that concentrate fruit flavours. This unique terroir is well suited for Bordeaux grape varieties such as cabernet sauvignon, syrah, malbec, carménère, merlot and petit verdot, yielding ripe and concentrated grapes that are perfect for creating well structured and bold wines, while the cooler coastal pockets allow for sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, and pinot noir to express their natural freshness and unmatched elegance.

The ‘MAX V‘ vineyard is situated on an alluvial plain on the southern bank of the Aconcagua River. It is somewhat cooler than usual for the region because of its proximity to the river and minimal, relatively unexposed slope. The soil is deep, with clay to clay-loam texture and a high stone content of up to 80% that provides excellent drainage. The ‘MAX I‘ vineyard, part of our historic Don Maximiano Estate vineyard, is planted on a northeast-facing hillside with a 5°-25° slope. It features weathered intrusive igneous rock (diorite) and coarse alluvium with abundant mica and a sandy-loam texture.

color: deep & opaque ruby color
clarity: hazy & noble ruby shades

In the glass, the wine presents a deep and opaque ruby color, with hazy and noble ruby shades towards the rim – a classic appearance for a top-tier Syrah – suggesting  concentration and nuance.

intensity: rich & savory-delicate
fruit character: ripe

On the nose, the wine feels rich and complex, leaning towards a savory and delicate character that is the hallmark of classic old-world Syrah. The foreground is a mesmerizing mix of savory notes like old leather, brown olive, iron, and a hint of iodine, layered over a profound earthy foundation of crushed granite, pencil lead, loam, and clay dust. In the background, an alluring core of ripe black fruit emerges, with blackberry, blackcurrant, and dark cherry providing depth, all elegantly framed by subtle spices of peppercorn and cloves, with a sophisticated touch of tobacco.

sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: medium+ | tannin: high | balance: fine
finish: lasting | aftertaste: velvety-seedy

On the palate, the wine reveals a remarkably rich yet delicate mouthfeel, unfolding in a rustic, multi-layered, and complex tasting experience. The mouthfeel is voluptuous and ample, with a round and harmonious texture that is both powerful and refined. A mouth-watering acidity provides vibrancy and structure, perfectly integrating with a touch of well-managed alcoholic warmth. The tannins are ripe and pleasantly-seedy, contributing to a well structured and grippy mouthfeel that leads into a long, persistent, and velvety-seedy aftertaste. This is a wine that showcases an incredible balance between its expressive fruit nuances and the savory-earthy, terroir-driven notes that define its iconic character.

maturity: developing | drink now or age it for another 3 to 5 years
verdict: excellent | a reference wine | a wine that can reach into the realm of perfection

Overall, this is a genuine old-world Syrah wine that manages to deliver the vibrancy and nuance of the grape variety alongside the unmistakable footprint of its origin (the famous Aconcagua Valley) – the epitome of a pure-bred, high-altitude Syrah, that masterfully combines the nuance and structure with elegance with finesse. The wine is still developing, showing immense ageing potential. While it is almost ready to be enjoyed today, we highly recommend aging it for at least another 3 to 5 years to allow the wine to gain further aromatic sophistication and grace. This is a harmonious, rustic, and elegant wine that beautifully mixes power with delicacy.

Given the wine’s complex savory character and vibrant acidity, it requires a dish with equal richness and depth, like for example Tournedos Rossini, served with a sour cherry reduction. The richness of the sauce and the umami notes of the beef tenderloin and foie gras will be beautifully balanced by the wine’s mouth-watering acidity, preventing the palate from becoming fatigued, while the sour cherry notes will create a congruent link with the wine’s black fruit notes, amplifying those delicate nuances. Furthermore, the wine’s savory hints of iron, old leather, and iodine would harmonize well with the delicate flavours of the dish, creating a complex and memorable culinary experience that elevates both, the food and the wine. Enjoy!
ERRAZURIZ | La Cumbre | Syrah | 2019
variety: syrah  | viognier
country: Chile
region: Aconcagua Valley
rating: 97.4

The name ‘La Cumbre’ translates from Spanish as ‘the summit’ – a fitting name for Viña Errázuriz’s iconic Syrah, representing the highest achievement of their pioneering work with this grape variety. The winery’s founder, Don Maximiano Errázuriz, famously declared: ‘From the best land, the best wine’ – a philosophy that has guided the estate for over 150 years, making them one of the reference points of chilean winemaking.

© The WineStatistics ratings are based solely on our own knowledge of the world of wine and on our personal wine tastes, which may, or may not, differ from yours – the reader. Just remember that there are no absolutes of right and wrong in wine appreciation. Cheers!