2017 Clos de Luz "Azuda" Syrah Rapel Valley

Professional Reviews

Staff Reviews

KW

Kirk Walker

Kirk Walker

One of the best-kept secrets in the world of wine is how good Syrah is from Chile. It is an easy secret to keep, most people are not looking for the next great Syrah region, I am here to spill the beans! This wine grabs your attention. It does that effusive, hedonistic thing that Syrah does, without being over the top. The nose is big ripe berries (those perfect just picked farmers market berries that are very ripe, sweet and tangy and you can still smell with a little of that brambly leafy herbal note from the vine) and fine spice. The palate is lush, the tannins are polished and help to convey a berry roundness to the wine. Lots of berries, plums, fine spice, and a creamy mellow coffee note. This is an incredibly accessible Syrah that is almost heady and lush and fresh. This has almost everything anyone would want from Syrah. What a deal, what a wine.

SB

Scott Beckerley

Scott Beckerley

Another excellent release from this producer. A nose of rich, black fruits and roasted nuts with a (very slight) hint of earth. On the palate, more black fruits with (light) roasted meat flavors and a lingering finish that has a touch of minerality. This falls nicely between a Northern Rhone and an American Syrah, style-wise. Easy to drink, but, complex enough to serve with dinner. A great price, too!

Notes

We are very excited to be offering wines from our newest direct import from Chile, Clos de Luz. Located in the Almahue Valley sub region of the Rapel Valley. Almahue Valley is located 70 miles Southeast of Santiago, 40 miles from the Pacific Ocean and 28 miles from the Andes Mountains. The Clos de Luz estate was first planted by the current owners' great grandfather in 1892, it now spreads over 33 hectares of vineyards planted in granitic soil with quartz components of volcanic origins. The oldest vines now date back to 1945 and were planted by their grandmother, Luz. They are some of the oldest Carménère vineyards in Chile, and probably in the world. The domaine’s vineyards are 100% ungrafted and massal selections. The vineyards are certified sustainable. The grapes are hand harvested, with strict fruit selection. The fruit is gently extracted then vinified and raised with minimal interventions, and these wines are elegant with depth and complexity. Named after the centenary waterwheels that are still being used at Clos de Luz. Open top fermenters and caps punched down by hand. Aged for 12 months in French oak barrels. The wine is both very intense and elegant with lively black fruits such as blackberries, blueberries and plums and hints of chocolate aromas. On the palate the wine is layered and dense, showing exceptional complexity and structure, while blackberry, mocha, espresso and fine spice flavors are supported by powerful tannins.