by Treve Ring | If you are a geek and follow these things, you will be well aware that Nichol makes a killer wine from the oldest syrah vines in Canada, planted on granite no less (right?). But…this isn’t that. What this is, though, is supercool in itself. It’s a second syrah, released for the first time in 2015 with a retro throwback label. Affectionately named Nate’s Vineyard after the young son of owners Ross and Nicole Hackworth, this vibrant syrah is the exuberant, youthful sibling of the gravelly, stately classic Nichol Syrah we all know and love.

Here, younger estate syrah vines, planted in 2010 on granite bedrock and glacial till, make up this gulpable wine. Fresh and juicy, with lively black pepper, roasted meats and violets, up front and present. Cassis, red cherry thorns and fresh scrubby herbs join in on the bright, higher acid palate, reined in with fine grained tannins. Unfined and unfiltered, with textured complexities underpinning the youthful, honest charm.

It’s drinking very well now (too easily, from experience), but I reckon it will cellar for another couple of years easy. That is, if you can resist drinking it all now. I recently chatted up owner and winemaker Ross about its message in the bottle…

Nichol Vineyard 2013 | Nate’s Vineyard Syrah | | Naramata, Okanagan Valley, BC | $28

Straight up – why did you make this wine? I decided to go this route because the fruit is significantly different – 8 years old versus 24 year old vines. Expect the structure and complexity to become more consistent with the old vines in 5 to 7 years time.

Where are the grapes from? They are from 1 acre planted here in 2007, and 3 other small blocks planted in 2007 and 2008 – 900 meters from the winery.

Your ideal pairing with this wine would be…? Lamb on the grill, hard cheese like comte, or a nutty goat cheese.

Favourite BC wine, other than yours? I love bubbles so Bella comes to mind.

What do you drink when you’re not drinking BC wine? Growers champagne, especially non-dose. They are similar in size to us, grow and make their own wine and are distinct amongst each other. I don’t mean for that to sound snobby but if it does, I really enjoy Cabernet Franc from the Loire, Chinon especially and Syrah from Rhone/Hermitage.

MORE MESSAGES IN OTHER BOTTLES