2023 Alain Graillot ‘Syrocco’ Syrah Zenata

Made in an Old World style with moderate extraction, this wine displays a balance of complex aromatics and flavors including plenty of ripe black fruits and candied fruits along with hints of sandalwood and earth.
Fresh, fabulous Syrah from legendary French Rhone winery, Graillot. 100% Organic Syrah grown in clay-limestone soil. 25 year+ vines. Dry, but pleasantly fruity. Very balanced. Purple fruit, black berries, black plum, sandalwood. Hand-harvested, destemmed. Cement fermentation, followed by time in stainless steel tanks and used oak barrels.

The history of wine production in Morocco goes back more than 4,000 years, with much wine being made for personal use until the 19th century. Domaine des Ouleb Thaleb was founded in 1923; they planted vines outside of Casablanca and their first harvest was in 1927. Their vineyards are now the oldest continuously producing in Morocco. The company has also produced wines under the name “Thalvin” since the 1960s.

Syrocco was founded by the late, legendary Rhône vigneron Alain Graillot, and now run by his sons, Maxime and Antoine. Alain stumbled upon these vineyards and the Thalvin winery while bicycling in the Zenata region of Morocco between Casablanca and Rabat. This gorgeous area is an organic dream, with cool winds blowing off the Atlantic and no polluting industries whatsoever. The Thalvin winery has been around since the 1920’s, and when Alain found their gorgeous property, he formed a partnership with them to provide Syrah and Cinsault vines for his own Moroccan wines. Alain’s sons, Maxime and Antoine, now craft these Old-World style wines of excellent balance, and complex aromatics.