Ochota Barrels 'Where's the Pope?' Syrah, McLaren Vale, Australia 2022
Pickup available at DECANT Napa - 2999 Solano, Napa, CA
Usually ready in 1 hour
DECANT Napa - 2999 Solano, Napa, CA
2999 Solano Avenue
Ste A
Napa CA 94558
United States
Ochota Barrels, founded by Taras and Amber Ochota, is celebrated for its minimal-intervention approach, producing expressive wines that reflect their unique terroirs. The 'Where's the Pope?' Syrah, named after a pioneering thrash/hardcore band from Adelaide, showcases the elegance and vibrancy of Syrah from the Onkaparinga Hills vineyard in McLaren Vale.
- WINEMAKER: Amber Ochota
- FARMING: Certified organic, dry-farmed
- VARIETY: 100% Syrah
- TERROIR: The Grancari Vineyard, planted in 1996, is situated in the Onkaparinga Hills of McLaren Vale. The vines thrive in ironstone over shallow limestone and heavy schist soils, contributing to the wine's mineral complexity.
- VINIFICATION: Hand-harvested grapes undergo spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts in open-top picking bins, incorporating 40% whole clusters. The fruit experiences 7–10 days of skin contact with gentle hand plunging in the latter days. The wine is then basket-pressed to seasoned French barriques with the gross lees.
- AGING: Matured for five months in seasoned French barriques. Bottled with a coarse pad filtration and a minimal sulfur addition; unfined.
- TASTING NOTES: This Syrah offers a lighter touch on alcohol but delivers bold flavor, with a hint of reduction that quickly dissipates, revealing layers of dark berries and olive tapenade. The tannins are soft, and the profile leans quite savory and sleek.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Complements grilled lamb, charcuterie, and dishes featuring roasted vegetables or Mediterranean herbs.
-
SCORES:
- James Suckling: 95 points – "So much cracked black pepper to this, with plums and brambleberries throughout. It’s medium-bodied with a solid center palate and medium fine tannins that run the length of the wine. Tangy and bright acidity, too. Drink or hold."
This wine exemplifies the balance and finesse achievable with Syrah in McLaren Vale, offering immediate appeal with the potential for further development with age.
Ochota Barrels, founded by Taras and Amber Ochota, is celebrated for its minimal-intervention approach, producing expressive wines that reflect their unique terroirs. The 'Where's the Pope?' Syrah, named after a pioneering thrash/hardcore band from Adelaide, showcases the elegance and vibrancy of Syrah from the Onkaparinga Hills vineyard in McLaren Vale.
- WINEMAKER: Amber Ochota
- FARMING: Certified organic, dry-farmed
- VARIETY: 100% Syrah
- TERROIR: The Grancari Vineyard, planted in 1996, is situated in the Onkaparinga Hills of McLaren Vale. The vines thrive in ironstone over shallow limestone and heavy schist soils, contributing to the wine's mineral complexity.
- VINIFICATION: Hand-harvested grapes undergo spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts in open-top picking bins, incorporating 40% whole clusters. The fruit experiences 7–10 days of skin contact with gentle hand plunging in the latter days. The wine is then basket-pressed to seasoned French barriques with the gross lees.
- AGING: Matured for five months in seasoned French barriques. Bottled with a coarse pad filtration and a minimal sulfur addition; unfined.
- TASTING NOTES: This Syrah offers a lighter touch on alcohol but delivers bold flavor, with a hint of reduction that quickly dissipates, revealing layers of dark berries and olive tapenade. The tannins are soft, and the profile leans quite savory and sleek.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Complements grilled lamb, charcuterie, and dishes featuring roasted vegetables or Mediterranean herbs.
-
SCORES:
- James Suckling: 95 points – "So much cracked black pepper to this, with plums and brambleberries throughout. It’s medium-bodied with a solid center palate and medium fine tannins that run the length of the wine. Tangy and bright acidity, too. Drink or hold."
This wine exemplifies the balance and finesse achievable with Syrah in McLaren Vale, offering immediate appeal with the potential for further development with age.
Ochota Barrels, founded by Taras and Amber Ochota, is celebrated for its minimal-intervention approach, producing expressive wines that reflect their unique terroirs. The 'Where's the Pope?' Syrah, named after a pioneering thrash/hardcore band from Adelaide, showcases the elegance and vibrancy of Syrah from the Onkaparinga Hills vineyard in McLaren Vale.
- WINEMAKER: Amber Ochota
- FARMING: Certified organic, dry-farmed
- VARIETY: 100% Syrah
- TERROIR: The Grancari Vineyard, planted in 1996, is situated in the Onkaparinga Hills of McLaren Vale. The vines thrive in ironstone over shallow limestone and heavy schist soils, contributing to the wine's mineral complexity.
- VINIFICATION: Hand-harvested grapes undergo spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts in open-top picking bins, incorporating 40% whole clusters. The fruit experiences 7–10 days of skin contact with gentle hand plunging in the latter days. The wine is then basket-pressed to seasoned French barriques with the gross lees.
- AGING: Matured for five months in seasoned French barriques. Bottled with a coarse pad filtration and a minimal sulfur addition; unfined.
- TASTING NOTES: This Syrah offers a lighter touch on alcohol but delivers bold flavor, with a hint of reduction that quickly dissipates, revealing layers of dark berries and olive tapenade. The tannins are soft, and the profile leans quite savory and sleek.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Complements grilled lamb, charcuterie, and dishes featuring roasted vegetables or Mediterranean herbs.
-
SCORES:
- James Suckling: 95 points – "So much cracked black pepper to this, with plums and brambleberries throughout. It’s medium-bodied with a solid center palate and medium fine tannins that run the length of the wine. Tangy and bright acidity, too. Drink or hold."
This wine exemplifies the balance and finesse achievable with Syrah in McLaren Vale, offering immediate appeal with the potential for further development with age.
Ochota Barrels, founded by Taras and Amber Ochota, is celebrated for its minimal-intervention approach, producing expressive wines that reflect their unique terroirs. The 'Where's the Pope?' Syrah, named after a pioneering thrash/hardcore band from Adelaide, showcases the elegance and vibrancy of Syrah from the Onkaparinga Hills vineyard in McLaren Vale.
- WINEMAKER: Amber Ochota
- FARMING: Certified organic, dry-farmed
- VARIETY: 100% Syrah
- TERROIR: The Grancari Vineyard, planted in 1996, is situated in the Onkaparinga Hills of McLaren Vale. The vines thrive in ironstone over shallow limestone and heavy schist soils, contributing to the wine's mineral complexity.
- VINIFICATION: Hand-harvested grapes undergo spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts in open-top picking bins, incorporating 40% whole clusters. The fruit experiences 7–10 days of skin contact with gentle hand plunging in the latter days. The wine is then basket-pressed to seasoned French barriques with the gross lees.
- AGING: Matured for five months in seasoned French barriques. Bottled with a coarse pad filtration and a minimal sulfur addition; unfined.
- TASTING NOTES: This Syrah offers a lighter touch on alcohol but delivers bold flavor, with a hint of reduction that quickly dissipates, revealing layers of dark berries and olive tapenade. The tannins are soft, and the profile leans quite savory and sleek.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Complements grilled lamb, charcuterie, and dishes featuring roasted vegetables or Mediterranean herbs.
-
SCORES:
- James Suckling: 95 points – "So much cracked black pepper to this, with plums and brambleberries throughout. It’s medium-bodied with a solid center palate and medium fine tannins that run the length of the wine. Tangy and bright acidity, too. Drink or hold."
This wine exemplifies the balance and finesse achievable with Syrah in McLaren Vale, offering immediate appeal with the potential for further development with age.