Toro de Piedra Syrah-Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva – An Unusual Blend Pays Off

55% Syrah and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon from Curico Valley, Chile.

SRP of $14 and available for as low as $12. Sample submitted for review.

From the bottle:

“Our Syrah-Cabernet Sauvignon is of an intense cherry color, with intense aromas of raspberry, essence of rose, black pepper, nutmeg and coffee beans. Fresh and round on the palate; a pleasant finish with notes of vanilla. This wine can be a great companion for boeuf bourguignon.

14.0% Alcohol”

Chile is rapidly growing a reputation for producing excellent wine and today’s selection shows they also have the range to pull off a rather unusual blend. Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah/Shiraz blends are most commonly found in Australia and also occasionally in France (although usually with other varieties as well). Here in the U.S. this isn’t a combination you see often, even among the Australian wines on our shelves. Let’s see how it turned out.

The 2009 Vina Requingua Toro de Piedra Syrah-Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva begins with nice strong aromas of really ripe, jammy blackberry plus a little cedar, vanilla and licorice. Tasting the wine reveals much of the same rich, concentrated blackberry fruit along with plum, licorice, black pepper and a little green olive. The fruit turns a bit sour and even a little syrupy on the finish but some nice peppery spice and oaky notes balance it out nicely.

See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.

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