De Martino Syrah 'Old Bush Vines Alto Los Toros' 2014

There is one Syrah from Elqui in the north of the country, and I tasted the 2013 Syrah Single Vineyard Altos Los Toros. The vineyard was only planted in 2005 on a 45% slope at 1,950 meters altitude, in an extreme place with warm and dry summers with big temperature differences between day and night; very cold winters in a place where snow is not uncommon. The vines are pruned in a special pergola way to protect the grapes from direct sunlight and the granitic sandy soils also contribute to the freshness of the wine. It contains 10% Petit Verdot, fermentation was carried out with the yeasts from the grapes and the wine matured in large oak foudres. The nose is textbook cool-climate Syrah with black olives, tapenade and smoky bacon, a little roasted with an herbal touch. The palate shows some grainy tannins, very tasty, almost salty and more austere than the nose made me think. A showy Syrah with a more austere palate. It should age well. 13,300 bottles produced.