Originally published on January 22, 2008.
I brought 5 cases of Moroccan Syrah into the store last week. That’s 60 bottles – my biggest buy to date. Could be considered madness that I’m going big on Moroccan Syrah, but it’s good.
It was a big hit at the tasting last week – one of those freak wines that you hear people murmuring about throughout the room. Nice red fruits, Rhone-like herbs, and a nice meaty, savoury finish. Sort of Old World in that it’s earthy, a little rustic, not over-polished, but with good fruit and something different for $14.99. And it’s one of those items that when it’s gone, it’s gone. So I figured I might as well throw caution to the wind and buy a 5 case deal, write a little tasting note, and display it front and center. Winemaking is overseen by Alain Graillot, big producer in the Northern Rhone in France) so he knows his Syrah. The story goes that he spotted some vineyards while bicycling in the Zenata region of Morocco, began a friendship with the owners, and the next thing you know, I have 60 bottles of Syrah du Morocco sitting in my shop.