Luca Laborde Double Select Syrah

Laura Catena is a pioneer in Mendoza for partnering with small, independent growers to produce the highest quality grapes from some of Argentina’s top low-yield, high-elevation vineyards. Perhaps her most distinctive is the Laborde vineyard. Over half a century ago, inspired viticulturist Luis Laborde created what may be the world’s only vineyard created by "double massal selection" across two continents. Laborde first traveled through France’s Rhone Valley and brought back a selection of the best mix of Syrah vines (not clones) back to Mendoza. After planting them in a local research vineyard and tracking each vine’s quality, he again selected the best of the best individual vines to plant in his own 10-acre vineyard in the Uco Valley.

TastingNotesBeautiful deep purple color, tilting the glass the shallows are a soft rose. The nose is like walking into a gentlemen’s poker parlor: aromas of cigar, leather, and smoked meat fill the nose with hints of toasty oak, forest floor and baking spice. Rich, lush, and mouthfilling on the palate. Well structured tannins support big fruit flavors of blackberry jam, black spiced cherries, ground black pepper and just a hint of rhubarb. Nice, long, lingering finish.