The 2017 Veritas Sequitur Grenache/Syrah is an absolute beauty. This wine has a dark, ruby red color with a compelling bouquet of kirsch, framboise, black plum, incense, white pepper, and Asian spices. It is a medium-plus bodied wine with very high flavor intensity and concentration. The palate is refined with well delineated notes of kirsch, black plum, framboise, bacon fat, truffle, white pepper, and orange dust. The long finish resolves with savory notes of truffle, bacon fat, white pepper, orange peel, and stony minerality. The wine is elegantly structured and exquisitely balanced. This wine will continue to improve for the next 8-10 years and should drink well for the next 15+ years.

 

 

The wine had a pre-fermentation maceration of 145 hours and a post-fermentation maceration of 243 hours. The wine was punched down by hand 2 times each day during macerations and fermentation. 100% whole cluster (Syrah) and 100% native fermentation. All individual wine components, including free run and press fractions, were kept separate until final blending. The wine had an elevage of 19 months in French Oak. The oak profile is 80% new French oak (predominantly from Troncais and Alliers). The wine achieved its sparkly brilliance from 3 judicious rackings, no fining agents were employed. The wine was very lightly filtered to capture any remaining lees.

 

 

This is the first year that Billo Naravane has made this incredible wine. The Grenache entirely aged in natural oak while the Syrah saw 20% new oak before bottling. The wine is a stunning blend of 71% Grenache with 29% Syrah which was entirely sourced from the ‘SJR Vineyard’ in the Walla Walla Rocks AVA. Pretty red rose petals, red cherry candy and orange rind combine with shades of Hoisin sauce and Umami tones on this exotic nose. The palate is silky smooth with wonderful freshness and a great sense of elegance. The seamless effect on the mid-palate is nothing short of captivating, as is the exceedingly long finish that provides the crescendo. Vibrant and youthful, this beautiful wine will cellar well for another decade — but why wait? Drink 2020-2028. - 96 Points, Owen Bargreen, International Wine Report

 

Cases Produced: 145