2019 Equinoxe Syrah

EQUINOXE SYRAH IN 7 WORDS

Blackberries Meaty Spicy Peonies Velvety Powerful Elegant

winemaking notes

Équinoxe: equal day, equal night. Equal heat of the day, equal cool of the night. Equal new world, equal old world.

The 2019 Équinoxe Syrah, as in the past, is comprised of fruit grown in multiple plots throughout the South Okanagan Valley. A traditionally made Syrah in the sense that the sum is considered greater than its parts (lieux-dits trumping
single cru ala Chez Jamet, JL Chave, Clape). The resulting effort is a very complex wine with dark garnet colour that perfectly and effortlessly combines elements of both the old world and the new world styles. This monumental wine is at the same time feminine and masculine. It has grace and power, spice and florals, gamy and savoury notes. Yin and yang come together to showcase a perfectly balanced Syrah. 2019 like the 2018 vintage is lighter in body, that is to say, it is medium+ compared to the full or full+ body of vintages like 2015 or 2016. Due to the arrival of winter in early October, we opted to go for a more
expressive and gentler extract as to not pick up any green or bitter qualities in the tannins. There is a distinct white pepper profile and more wild floral note to this vintage. Upon release, 2019 Équinoxe Syrah is going to be readily drinkable
compared to many other vintages at release: namely 2012, 2014-2016.

pairings

Centuries ago, the black pepper spice trade launched voyages, wars, and epic tales.

Meat-Based: We suggest a seared New York steak paired with peppercorn sauce to fill the air with peppery goodness to celebrate the world’s single greatest spice.

Plant-Based: Portobello mushroom burger with pepper-garlic aioli or marinated tempeh steak with mushroom and peppercorn gravy is incredible too.

technical details 

CÉPAGE: 97% Syrah, 3% Viognier co-ferment
GROWN: 62% Osoyoos Lake District, 38% Black Sage Bench
VINEYARD: Various
AGE OF VINES: Most in their late teens
SOIL TYPE: Varied
YIELD: Average of 2.6 tons/acre
PRODUCTION: 199 cases
ALCOHOL: 14.5%
CLARIFICATION: Unfined, very lightly coarse filtered
AGING:19 months in French oak barrels, 36% new 

ACCOLADES

Equinoxe is the flagship syrah of LVP. This comes from a few sites in the southern Okanagan, and vines nearing 20 years. This year sees 97% syrah, 3% viognier, with 19 months in French barrel (36% new) before bottling unfined. This masterful, structural red is entirely in balance, with rivers of wild blackberry, black cherry, espresso, iron, and cracked peppercorn. Tannins are long and fine, and acidity is easily matching the Southern Okanagan weight. The finish lingers with luring violets and bacon fat. Savoury and confident, this is drinking beautifully now and with time ahead. 199 cases.

Treve Ring | 93 Points | gismondi on wine

Consistently well made and at the top of the BC syrah mix, Équinoxe is all about balance: equal day, equal night; an equal heat of the day, the equal cold of the night leading to an equal New World, Old World style. As good as 2017 was, this is equally fine, if not even more elegant, despite having so much density and length on the palate. The balance is perfect, making it a joy to drink, and I know that kind of balance spells a long life in the bottle, meaning more and more complexity. The flavours are desert scrub, licorice, pepper, and savoury dried herbs mixed with ripe, dense, dark black fruit. The source is a mix of South Okanagan Valley sub-appellations, again honouring the adage that the whole is greater than its parts.

anthony gismondi | 94 Points | gismondi on Wine