Príncipe de Viana Syrah 2023

Principe de Viana Syrah is made by Bodegas Principe de Viana in Murchante, in D.O. Navarra. Founded in 1983 and named for the historic Navarrese title, the winery sits in an area well suited to vines, with a Mediterranean climate carrying a marked Atlantic influence. That cooler influence, alongside the warmth needed to ripen Syrah, gives a wine that is ripe and fruit forward but holds its freshness, at a moderate 13.5% alcohol. Syrah here delivers deep colour, ripe dark fruit and the variety's signature pepper and smoke. The wine spends just three months in oak, a short ageing that keeps it bright and primary, lightly rounding the tannin and adding a touch of spice without overlaying heavy wood. The colour is deep violet red. The nose shows ripe black plum and red berries over black pepper, smoke, liquorice and a herbal, thyme like note. The palate is medium to full bodied and supple, with rounded tannin, fresh acidity and a juicy, peppery finish. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees. It suits grilled red meat, sausages and mushroom dishes.