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This North African Syrah (for which the Graillot family consults) just gets better and better. It hails from the Atlantic-influenced hills of Morocco’s Zenata region, in the lee of the spectacular Middle Atlas Mountains. Fresh ocean breezes and a mix of red and black clay over a base of limestone and ancient ocean bed remnants provide the right mix of conditions for scented, juicy Syrah that Graillot believes can showcase the surprising potential of Morocco.
The back story has it that Alain Graillot was cycling in Morocco (hence the tandem bike and palm tree on the label) when he stopped off at Domaine des Ouled Thaleb, 40 km inland from the Atlantic Ocean. A conversation with the Domaine's then oenologist, Jacques Poulaine, and a close look at sites in Rommani and Benslimane convinced Graillot of the potential for producing highly elegant Syrah. The towns of Rommani and Benslimane lie between Casablanca on the Atlantic Ocean and the Middle Atlas Mountains. As such, there is a relatively cool climate thanks to the ocean breezes and an altitude of about 500 metres.
The Syrah vines are 10-40 years old (average 25 years). Overseen by Stéphane Mariot, the vineyard work is meticulous, with goblet pruning, hand-weeding, hand-ploughing and no herbicide or fungicide treatments are used. The grapes were 100% destemmed and fermented in closed concrete vats. Daily pump-overs occurred and maceration was completed in ten days. The wine was aged for 15 months, first in tanks, and then finished in large oak casks imported from Burgundy (from François Frères).
The 2020 has elements of Alain Graillot's Crozes (peppery, fruit-forward Syrah) combined with warming, baked fruit and spice notes that transport the drinker to North Africa. You don't have to accompany it with a tagine, but your guests will probably appreciate it if you do make the effort!