Grenache/Syrah/Carignan

Region: France, Corbieres

Grape variety: Grenache, Syrah & Carignan

Background: The winemaker is Alexander Sichel, Peter Sichel's grandson, who is devoting his life to these wines living in the Cucugnan valley in something approaching solitude in this beautiful and very remote region.

Tasting notes: The wine is a lovely grenache, syrah and carignan blend with bags of crunchy ripe fruit and a hint of plums, strawberries and spices with a lingering finish. It will age well and is altogether a complete and delicious organic wine.

Reviews

Tom Cannavan, wine-pages.com: "From the IGP Pays de Cucugnan in the Corbières area, and a property run by Alexander Sichel, this is Grenache, Syrah and Carignan from vineyards at 350 metres in the Vallée de Cucugnan. It's a dark, brooding, but ultimately very plush and fruity red, creamy tannins and moderate acidity giving backbone. Peppery spice flits around aroma and flavour in a robust but very approachable red."

Jonathan Ray, The Spectator Magazine: "The 2019 Altura 350, from winemaking royalty that is Alexander Sichel (grandson of mighty Peter), is a Grenache, Syrah and Carignan blend from vineyards 350 metres high (hence its name) in the Vallée de Cucugnan in Corbières. With dark, intense briary fruit, a touch of pepper and spice and a long, concentrated finish, it should be a shoo-in for your next barbecue."