BODEGAS PIQUERAS VALCANTO SYRAH 2021

Double Gold Medal – Gilbert and Gillard International Challenge 2022 (France)
Gold Medal – Sakura Japan

Valcanto Syrah has a large and loyal following at Vino Fino and just flies off the floor whenever we can get our hands on it. If offers exceptional value for money and a very pleasurable drinking experience.

It is another of the great value imports brought to New Zealand by Master of Wine, Steve Bennett. In fact, Steve says that Bodegas Piqueras are “one of the best value producers I’ve discovered in my 30+ years in the industry.” High praise indeed, and Steve has found some crackers.

Bodegas Piqueras are a 4th-generation, family-owned winery located in the Almansa region of southeastern Spain about 60 kilometres from the Mediterranean.

This is a nicely maturing, mid-to-full bodied Spanish Syrah with nice fruit and a complex, savoury underbelly. Fantastic value, this is a really good comfort wine that is perfect for relaxing and enjoying with or without food.

Winery notes (2021 Vintage)
"Valcanto is produced by Bodegas Piqueras, founded in 1915 by Mario Bonete, one of the driving forces behind the creation of Almansa DO. In south-east Spain (100 kilometres inland from Valencia.) Today, Mario’s sons look after the estate, with the goal of producing eminent wines at fantastic prices. The estate is situated at 700-800 metres altitude with an extreme continental climate, low rainfall and limestone-rich soils which are managed using organic farming methods… perfect conditions for low yielding, slow ripening vines which produce rich, ripe, bold red wines of excellent concentration and quality.

Sourced from hand-harvested, 25-30 year-old, organically-farmed vines Valcanto is a pure, intense, elegant expression of Syrah with delicious, natural acidity and is aged in fine-grained 300l American oak hogsheads for 6 months to give a gentle, creamy texture. This wine massively over delivers for the price. It is a perfect accompaniment to rich meat and cheese dishes and will age well 2-4 years in the bottle. Enjoy this award-winning wine simply by itself or accompanied by tapas, roasted or grilled meat."

Double Gold Medal Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge 2023 (2021 Vintage)
"Vivid, garnet-tinted ruby. Enticing nose combining red berry fruit, liquorice, smoke and pepper. Silky, rich and taut on the palate, which shows the extent of its delectable flavours and grainy underlying tannin. Focused and full of flavour, a treat."

90/100 Cameron Douglas MS, September 2024 (2021 Vintage)
"A lovely expression of Syrah with a fruit led core of red berries, some plum and crumbled clay earthy scents. Some smoky earth and lighter oak combine to add breadth and style. On the palate a smooth satin touch leads to flavours of red fruits and earthy flavours, some delicate floral notes, strawberry and spice. Tannins and acidity deliver mouthfeel and contrast, a balanced and well made wine ready to drink from day of purchase through 2028."

Reviews for the 2020 vintage below…

5 Stars & 93/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, March 2023 (2020 Vintage)
"Upfront and fragrant, the bouquet shows Black Doris plum, dark cherry, rich floral, roasted nut and mixed spice aromas. The palate delivers succulent fruit flavours with plump mouthfeel and silky texture, finishing generous and flavoursome. At its best: now to 2027."