Le Sol Gimblett Gravels Vineyard 2021
Trade Tools
New Zealand
French for soil, "Le Sol" comes exclusively from heritge syrah clones in the Gimblett Gravels Vineyard. The stony soils there keep growth and cropping of the old clone Syrah vines in check and provide warmth in the autumn and winter. This heritage clone was brough to New Zealand in the 1840s. Grapes were hand harvested, partially destemmed (80%), and fermented in open-top French oak cuves and stainless steel tanks.
94 Points
The Wine Independent
2021 vintage
97 Points
Wine Advocate
2021 vintage
Harvest Note
A very warm spring brought forward the growing season. Summer was mild but with minimal rain days, producing low yields. The result was near-perfect ripening conditions for Syrah.
Tasting Note
Very purple color hints at aromas of black fruit. The palate is seamless and voluptuous with mouth-filling fruit. Fine, graphite tannins come racing through and give the wine unique persistence.
Technical Data
GRAPES: 100% Syrah
APPELLATION: Gimblett Gravels
PH: 3.62
ACIDITY: 5.3
ABV: 13%
AGING: Aged 17 months in French oak barriques, 38% new
Unique Selling Points
- A heritage clone of Syrah brought to New Zealand in the 1840s
- Gimblett Gravels is known as New Zealand's best terroir for Bordeaux blends and Syrah
- The stony vineyard absorbs the day's heat and radiates it at night, helping ripeness.
I am fortunate to lead an extraordinary group of people who want to be part of creating something truly magnificent that successive generations can admire and enjoy for years to come. I love our great estates and feel a strong connection to their complexities and subtleties.
Julian Grounds, Winemaker
About the Grape
Syrah
Syrah has seductively dense, rich, chewy black berry aromas and flavors, with notes of tar, wood smoke, bacon, leather, chocolate, and sometimes violets. The tannins are firm yet elegant.
