Élan-Bise Syrah 2021

Tasting the sumptuous Élan-Bise, you’d think it was top-flight Rhône. First vintage, it was pure Syrah, and such was the quality of the grape in 2021, that it is again. Mark has an enviable network of grower contacts in the Languedoc. He keeps a watchful eye through the season and knows exactly where the best grapes are to be found. At the Béziers cellar, where he works his magic, he gave the wine a slow fermentation, then racked it into French oak barrels for 10 months to lend layers of spicy oak complexity. We think this is probably the wine's great incarnation yet! Such dark blackberry fruit, a lift of rosemary and sage and a long liquorice spice finish. Open early and decant. Perfect with lamb shanks, aubergine bake or a rich casserole.