Shymer 2014

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Sometimes wine sellers use certain words to warn customers about a particular wine that they think may not be the best or what exactly the customer expects.

Even though this is something that I normally do with certain customers I could not hide some surprise as it was done to me last week.

At a small wine shop with focus on Italian wines I was warned by the owner that this cuvée of Syrah and Merlot from Baglio di Pianetto was "special" when I was about to pay.


I have to confess that I have grabbed the bottle in a rather subconscious way as it was on a promotion and had the 3 Bicchieri Gambero Rosso sticker on it and this is a distinction that I do trust. I have also had previous good experiences with Sicilian Syrahs and being theoretically slightly matured has sort of promised a more interesting experience where tertiary aromas should start showing.

How special is it?, I have asked back. 

Well, I would definitely have a steak with it, he answered.

Translated, this means that the wine would have quite strong tannins and the syrah notes would be sort of dominant.  When I got home, I have read in the bottle that the wine is a mix of two different lots, with the syrah coming from the lower lands (about 50 metres above sea level) and the merlot from about 650m. The wine is also not filtered.

But going to what matters: 

I did not find the wine special. At least according to the concept of the shop owner.

It is slightly wilder than conventional wines, but the syrah shows itself with the typical leather notes and lively tannins and even though the wine has already 11 years, the fruit is still very present. Red cherries do dominate the primary aromas delivering an aromatic and fresh wine. But sure has began to show slight nutty and tobacco notes which enriched the whole experience. I could almost feel some spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. 

I did not have a steak with it and still, I had a lot pleasure with it (and I am still having as I am writing this post). 

This is another good example how Sicily not only has a good amount of fascinating native grapes as it also manages to master "international" grapes granting them the unique terroir of one of the most fascinating places on earth to produce wine. 


16/20
Country: Italy
Region: Sicily
Grapes: Merlot; Syrah
14%
Winemaker:  Francesco Matesi

Website: https://bagliodipianetto.it/shymer-eredita/

 


Location: Hamburg, Germany

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