Anthony Gismondi 2014 EQ Syrah

Equinoxe takes its cue from the astronomical equinox “the only times when the edge between night and day is perpendicular to the equator and as a result, the northern and southern hemispheres are equally illuminated.” At Le Vieux Pin winemaker Severine Pinte says her Équinoxe is about equal day, equal night. Equal heat of the day, equal cold of the night. Equal New World, equal Old World. I say it’s Next World. This is a blockbuster syrah with fruit taken from various sub-appellations in the South Okanagan Valley: the Black Sage Bench and Osoyoos West Bench, East Bench and Lake District. If anything, it’s a bit richer than the 2013 and most certainly one of the best in the valley. Equinox is a balance of power and elegance, perfectly aged in 56 percent new French oak barrels and puncheons and 44 percent used barrels. Ripe but savoury, floral, black cherry and tobacco mark the nose while the palate is a mix of blueberries and fine-grained tannins. Roasted leg of lamb is the perfect match.