Georges Vernay 2020 Fleurs de Mai Syrah
Northern Rhone
Regular price $31.99
2020 Fleurs de Mai Syrah
Georges Vernay
Northern Rhone
$31.99
JLL: ***(*) (3.5 stars out of 5)
medium depth red; the bouquet has a simple, clear appeal, blackberry fruit with a pastry tart backing, sweetness from that. The palate is cooler, more direct, with a lithe run of red fruits, raspberry prominent, some keen, crisp tannins on a slightly herbal close. This is tuned in for barbecues, grills. 13.5°. 2025-26 June 2021
50% 1998/2000 Syrah from Condrieu (Ste Agathe), 50% 1980s Syrah (the first Syrah Georges Vernay planted) from Maclas on plateau at 300 metres, destemmed, 2 week steel vat vinification, pumping overs, 1-2 manual cap punchings, aged 30 hl large tronconic barrel 6 months, (before 2008 was vat raised 8 months), fined, filtered, called Fleurs de Mai since 2008, organic since 2020, 5,000-10,000 b
2019 for comparison's sake:
91 pts Vinous Media
Brilliant violet color. Bright and focused on the nose, displaying mineral- and spice-tinged cherry, black raspberry, floral and cracked pepper qualities with a touch of smokiness. Shows good breadth and depth on the palate, offering jammy cherry-cola, black raspberry and olive flavors that become firmer through the back half. The spicy note resonates on a long, gently tannic finish that shows very good clarity and dark fruit thrust.
- By Josh Raynolds on December 2022
Christine Vernay and her husband, Paul Amsellem, have moved into semi-retirement. The couple’s young daughter, Emma, is now in charge full-time at this venerable domaine. Emma Amsellem told me that her mother is a huge information resource, and while she may have backed away from day-to-day duties, she is still highly present as she eases further into her responsibilities. The estate is deservedly famous for its stunning Condreius, often the appellation’s very best, yet the red wines also showcase outstanding quality. The wines are slowly released to allow a bit of bottle age, and these 2019s and 2018s hardly betray their hot-vintage origins. I would cellar them with complete confidence.