2008 Équinoxe Syrah

2008 Équinoxe Syrah

Équinoxe: equal day, equal night. Equal old world, equal new world.

A wow wine. One with that X factor. Single vineyard Syrah fermented with few percent viognier grown on the
Golden Mile, has resulted in a wine that is very perfume-y and intensely aromatic.

Pink and white peppercorn, lilacs along with red licorice and game greet you on the nose. The flavors on the palate
are slightly spicy and build up gently to astoundingly harmonious and polite finish. In one word: finessed.

Everything is in perfect harmony.

  • Centuries ago, the black pepper spice trade launched voyages, wars and epic tales.

    Meat-Based
    With this wine we suggest a seared New York steak paired with peppercorn sauce to fill the air with peppery goodness to celebrate the world’s single greatest spice.

    Plant-Based
    Portobello mushroom burger with pepper-garlic aioli or marinated tempeh steak with mushroom and peppercorn gravy are incredible too.

Slideshow Items

  • 91+ points

    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.

    Liam Carrier Iconwines.ca  |  Tasted: March 10th, 2011
  • 92

    dark, meaty red wine with aromas and flavours of plums, black cherries and white peppers. The finish is very long and satisfying.

    John Schreiner