Vina Tabali : Payen Syrah 2018

Tasting notes and advice for Payen Syrah 2018 from Viña Tabali

Tasting

Color
The wine displays an intense red hue, enhanced by delicate violet highlights.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet reveals lovely complexity, with notes of cherry and blueberry, accompanied by floral hints of violet. Spicy touches of black pepper mingle with subtle smoky notes and sweet spices.

Palate
The attack reveals a full, generous structure, supported by velvety tannins and a fine concentration of black fruit. Aging in French oak barrels brings remarkable depth, yet remains perfectly integrated, never overshadowing the fruit expression. The finish stands out for its length and elegance.

Serving

To fully enjoy Payen Syrah 2018, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 16 and 18°C.

Food pairing

This wine pairs harmoniously with a lamb shank confit with rosemary, a beef fillet with black garlic purée, a duck breast with blackberries, or even a roasted eggplant with miso glaze.

An exceptional Syrah from Chile’s Limarí Valley with a unique limestone terroir

The estate

Founded in 2002 by Guillermo Luksic, the estate Viña Tabali is the first modern winery in the Limarí Valley in the Coquimbo region. The vineyard spans 151 hectares, divided between Talinay, just 12 kilometers from the Pacific Ocean, and Río Hurtado, which rises to 1,600 meters in altitude. Now run by Nicolas Luksic, the founder’s son, and winemaker Felipe Müller, the estate is distinguished by its limestone terroir—exceptional in Chile—which lends the wines remarkable minerality and a saline signature.

The vineyard

Payen comes from the Talinay vineyard in the Limarí Valley, in the immediate vicinity of Fray Jorge National Park, recognized by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve. Situated at 150 meters above sea level and only 12 kilometers from the Pacific, this terroir benefits from constant sea breezes, making it the coolest site in Limarí, with summer highs not exceeding 23.5°C. The friable, porous limestone soil forms an ancient marine terrace with a remarkable capacity for water regulation.

Winemaking and aging

Payen Syrah 2018 benefited from meticulous vinification: 70% of the grapes were transferred by gravity into small stainless-steel tanks, while 30% fermented as whole clusters in French oak barrels. During fermentation, pump-overs were carried out daily. Aging of this wine from Coquimbo took place over 18 months in French oak barriques, 90% new and 10% third-fill.

Blend

This Chilean red wine is the result of a blend of Syrah (93%) and Cabernet Franc (7%).