Icon Wines: Review of 2009 Equinoxe Syrah

The new “Équinoxe” line of wines replaces the “Reserve” level as the top-tier wines for Le Vieux Pin. The name is in recognition of their successful 2007 Équinoxe Cabernet Franc which blew away critics and the lucky wine club members who managed to get a hold of a bottle. The winery selected 3 barrels as the best of the best for their 2008 Syrah and deemed it worthy of the Équinoxe name. Only 70 cases have been produced and no release date is yet listed but expect a fall 2011 launch.

At the time of our tasting the wine was showing signs of being in an awkward stage that many wines go through upon being bottled before they are ready for release. Tasting past the closed palate, the wine offers massive complexity and major red fruit characters and suggests a bright future with sultry white pepper and oak notes. Drink 2012-2018.