2018 Domaine de la Grande Colline, Syrah, VdF

Hirotake Ooka’s approach to Syrah is defined by a rigorous, uncompromising commitment to non-intervention, utilizing biodiversity-focused viticulture and spontaneous fermentation without the use of sulfur or synthetic inputs. Sourced from the steep, granite-rich slopes of the Northern Rhône, these vines are managed to facilitate natural physiological maturation in an environment shaped by complex, site-specific mineral influences. The 2018 vintage, characterized by a warm, dry summer and adequate water reserves, provided the conditions necessary for full phenolic development while maintaining inherent structural tension. This result is a Syrah defined by fine-grained, persistent tannins and a dense mid-palate, with the warm season’s influence moderated by the site's elevation to preserve the varietal's structural nerve and architectural clarity.