Alain Graillot "Syrocco" Syrah 2018
Alain Graillot "Syrocco" Syrah 2018
Alain Graillot stumbled upon these vineyards and the Thalvin winery while bicycling in the Zenata region of Morocco between Casablanca and Rabat. It is a beautiful area with cool winds blowing off the Atlantic and no polluting industries. The Thalvin winery has been around since the 1920s and after some discussion, a deal was reached and Thalvin provided Graillot with parcels of Syrah vines to produce Syrocco.
Alain crafts this as a fruit-forward Moroccan red, yet it is made in an Old-World style with moderate extraction, excellent balance, and complex aromatics: plenty of ripe purple black fruits and dried red cherry followed by hints of sandalwood, herbs, and spice. The finish is dry, long, and similar to classic Syrah.
TASTING NOTES
Ripe black fruits, dried red cherry
Sandalwood
Herbs
Spice
Food Pairing
Best to pair with Mediterranean food, falafel, greek salad, koshari, tabbouleh, Mujaddara
Northern Rhône native, Alain Graillot, is recognized for his passion of Syrah. Prior to starting his own domaine, Alain worked in Burgundy, where he received guidance from the reputable Jacques Seysses of Domaine Dujac. In 1985, Alain founded Domaine Alain Graillot just outside the village of Pont de l’Isère, about 6 km south of Tain-l’Hermitage. He is now considered one of the most highly sought-after producers in the Northern Rhône due to his exuberant, robust and impeccably made Syrah-based wines.
“Alain has a passion for the Syrah grape from which he makes hand crafted wines of great distinction and enormous elegance" - The Wine Spectator
Syrocco is featured in this Bon Appetit explainer—check it out!