Ile La Forge (France) Syrah 2003
Silver medallist at the International Wine and Spirits Competition 2004, this Vin de Pays d’Oc wine comes from the exciting and dynamic estate of Paul Mas near Carcassonne. Low yields, careful farming practices and traditional winemaking, including 12 months in oak barrels, have a produced a glossy, crimson/black syrah filled with rich, warming, blackcurrant aromas that are ripe and plush, with a lovely velvetty depth, supported by well integrated creamy oak, and displaying little floral and camphor-like nuances. On the palate it is full and generous, with a flood of black cherry and blackcurrant fruit washing over the palate. It is medium-bodied, with a toasty underpinning of subtle oak, and a nice structure of supple, polished tannins and plum-skin acidity. What a beautifully balanced wine, and a stand-out bargain at the price. £4.99 Aldi.
