Bessa Valley Petite Syrah 2018

Drink now or cellar for up to 10 years. No need to decant before serving.

The Bessa Valley is located in southern Bulgaria close to the ancient city of Plovdiv and enjoys excellent winemaking conditions thanks to the proximity to the Rhodope Mountains and the Maritsa River. It was the terroir here, especially the excellent clay and limestone soils, that first captured the attention of Count Stephan von Neipperg, the owner of Chateau Canon La Gaffeliere and La Mondotte in Bordeaux.

Today his pioneering winery focuses on producing excellent Bordeaux-style wines like this Petite Syrah. The wine is made from perfectly ripe grapes which are picked by hand and carefully sorted in the winery. The fruit is then crushed and fermented in concrete tanks followed by 12 months of ageing in French oak barrels until it is deemed ready for bottling.

On the nose there are enticing hints of cherries, wild forest berries, and delicate notes of spice and vanilla from the oak. The first sip reveals a robust full body, smooth tannins, and a solid core of dark fruit which carries through onto the long, complex finish. A great wine to serve alongside hearty red meat or tomato-based pasta dishes thanks to the intense flavour profile.