Tabali Syrah 2007 Reserva Limari Valley Chile

Tabali Syrah 2007 Reserva Limari Valley is of course the Shiraz or Syrah grape grown in the cool area of the Limari Valley, Chile. The Limari Valley is in the north of Chile and although nearer to the equator is classified as a cool area as it  is greatly affected by the morning fog caused by the the cool Humbolt current in the Pacific Ocean which cools in the morning, but clears as the afternoon’s hot sun rises. The region is very dry – less than 4 inches of rain annually – but irrigation is allowed here and has made vine growing. The lack of water, however, encourages the vines to dig deep into the soils and, in turn, there is a pronounced effect of minerality found in the wines. There is much innovation used in these 'new' areas which have been actually making wine for many centuries.
This wine is a very deep ruby colour with a blackness too it that points to heavy extraction during the vinification and also to the high phenolic content of the skins. Blackcurrant and cherry aromas abound, all wound up with smokey spices and undertones of savouriness. Definite licquorice and earthiness aromas seemed to develop as it was allowed to breathe.
On tasting it - black fruits, cherry once more, spice and a pithy edge are pronounced and heavy, the oak is the predominant finish for me after a meaty savouriness, and although I like oak - I felt that the usage had been clumsy here. Good acidity kept the fruit fresh and jumpy and the alcohol although high at 14.5% was really well integrated. Tannins - drying but ripe and tasty, underpinning its longevity together with the refined acidity.  Overall the balance of the wine was good, the extraction was high - maybe too high, and the oak usage took control of the wine rather than gently adding structure and support, better with food than without - and choose a meaty lamb dish.
The Wine Society supply this wine at a cost of £10.95 - a good buy and one that will keep for a few years yet.