Alain Graillot Syrah Morocco Syrocco 2023

Alain Graillot Syrocco is a Moroccan Syrah made with the Graillot family of Crozes-Hermitage, grown 40 kilometres inland from the Atlantic.

The wine comes from the Zenata area of Morocco, in the lee of the Middle Atlas, at Domaine des Ouled Thaleb. Alain Graillot stopped there while cycling in the country, and a look at sites around Rommani and Benslimane, between Casablanca and the mountains, convinced him of the potential for elegant Syrah. Altitude of about 500 metres and Atlantic breezes keep the climate cooler than the latitude suggests, and the red and black clay over limestone and ancient sea-bed material suits the variety. The vines are between 10 and 40 years old, averaging 25. Vineyard work under Stéphane Mariot is meticulous, with goblet pruning, hand weeding and hand ploughing, and no herbicide or fungicide. The grapes are fully destemmed, fermented in closed concrete vats and matured 15 months, first in tank and then in large Burgundian oak casks from François Frères.

Drink now or over the next five to eight years; serve at 16-18C with lamb tagine, grilled merguez or roast eggplant.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.