Bodega Tapiz Classic Syrah 2022 Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina 75cl

The Uco Valley’s altitude and generous sunlight give Syrah both ripeness and freshness, and Bodega Tapiz’s Classic bottling is its straightforward, everyday reading of the grape. Cool Andean nights keep the fruit lively where warmth alone might tire it. The result is spice with freshness, not just power.

This is pure Syrah, made in a generous but balanced style, with the cool-night lift that high-altitude fruit brings. It is built for the table rather than the cellar, an honest, dark-fruited red for everyday enjoyment. Syrah here is welcoming rather than brooding.

The 2022 is offered as an open, current-drinking wine. We hold little on the season, so the description follows the wine in the glass rather than any invented detail. It is ready now and best enjoyed while its fruit is fresh, and it is happy to be opened the moment you pull the cork.

It shows an intense red with violet nuances and a captivating nose of cherry, ripe plum, cassis and clove. The palate is smooth and medium-bodied, with soft spice and a warm, rounded finish that stays approachable throughout. There is comfort in its gentle spice and its easy, mouth-filling warmth.

A friendly Syrah for those who enjoy dark-fruited, gently spicy reds. Serve at around 17 degrees with barbecued meats, grilled lamb or peppered beef, or a plate of grilled vegetables. If you enjoy a Cotes du Rhone or an easy Australian Shiraz, this fresh, altitude-grown Syrah sits comfortably in the same company, a red that suits the grill and good company.