Luca Syrah Laborde Double Select 2015, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

100% Syrah. Average age of vines: 51 years. Oak Regimen: 12 months in 50% new French and 50% second use French barrels. Total case production: 2800 cases. Over 50 years ago, inspired viticulturist Luis Laborde created a Syrah vineyard unlike any other in the world through his ‘double selection’ method. Laborde traveled France’s Rhone Valley to bring a mass selection of the best Syrah vines to Mendoza. Once planted, the best of the best was again selected to create his own Uco Valley vineyard. Laborde’s belief was that vines lose much of their identity when reproduced through clonal selection. When a vineyard is planted from a mass selection of similar vines, it adds a subtle diversity and complexity of flavors to the finished wine. “Aromas of cigar, leather, and smoked meat fill the nose with hints of toasty oak, forest floor and baking spice. Well-structured tannins support big fruit flavors of blackberry jam, black spiced cherries, ground black pepper and just a hint of rhubarb.” – From the winery