Concha Y Toro 2008 Gravas del Maipo Syrah 750ml

eRobertParker.com #204. Dec 2012. Reviewer : Neal Martin. The 2008 Gravas del Maipo is a blend of 91% Syrah and 9% Cabernet Sauvignon that is aged for 17 months in French oak (70% new and 30% one-year old.) It has a well-defined bouquet with black currant, raspberry and a touch of crushed violet that exhibits fine lift. The palate is crisp and focused with pepper tinged dark berry fruit, black olives and a touch of truffle, although the finish does not demonstrate the precision and focus I would expect given the price. Drink now-2018.

Tasted Oct 2012 - . Exceptionally dark purple. Very ripe and opulent. Heady, on the way to port, but – just – refreshing enough. Black cherry flavours remind me of a very ripe Bordeaux vintage. 2009 or 2005? Lots of pleasure here. Just not quite enough fruit concentration in the middle and it does fade slightly on the finish. Very exuberant. When to drink : Now to 2017.

Issue: Oct 15, 2012. This full-bodied red coats the palate with cream-tinged kirsch, blackberry sauce and grilled fig notes. Those give way to game, spice and dark cured olive hints, which add a lovely savory edge to the long finish. Drink now through 2017. 1,000 cases made. –NW.

May 12. By Josh Raynolds. (Includes 12% cabernet sauvignon): Opaque ruby. Explosively perfumed bouquet evokes dark berry compote, vanilla, woodsmoke and incense, with slow-building florality and spiciness. Still quite youthful, offering intense black and blue fruit flavors that show impressive depth and energy. Closes on a sweet note, with lingering violet and cola notes and excellent persistence.

Andrew Jefford, Decanter.com - "..Were these the best Chilean wines I have tasted in the last 12 months? I couldn’t say that. Concha y Toro’s 2008 Gravas del Maipo Syrah is a wine of wonderfully opulence and pure drinking luxury..."

Opaque in color, with a driving bouquet loaded with graphite, pastry and incredibly ripe black-fruit aromas. Feels rich, but with fine acidity creating superb balance. Tastes like a cascade of blackberry, cassis and chocolate, and then comes a finish of coconut, vanilla and texture. — M.S. (6/1/2012)