CAVE DES AMANDIERS 2019 SYRAH VALAIS, SWITZERLAND

There's a saying amongst the local winemakers that the Valais is “the real Northern Rhone” (the river’s source lies nearby), and the Syrah from Cave des Amandiers is seen as proof to that statement. Alexandre Deletraz is the winemaker in this land of steep to the point of mind-bending and dizzying vineyards. This classic Syrah is sourced from Fully on the terraces of Les Follateres in Follateres-Fully and on the Leytron slope in Les Prix, where Gneiss soils prevail. Beautiful aromatics of plum and black berry compote, nutmeg, cured meats, pink peppercorns, and an earthy olive exude from the glass. The palate is soft and fleshy from this warmer vintage without obscuring its stony tannins and spicy, pithy, black berry fruited finish.