Saint George Shiraz from Jordan, brilliant purple with a delicate nose of violet and crushed raspberry over moss and smoke, closer to a French Syrah than an Australian Shiraz, dry and mineral with clove and nutmeg wrapped around a smoky core.
Tasting Notes
Brilliant purple colour. A delicate nose of violet, crushed raspberry and hints of moss and smokiness. Juicy and slightly spicy on the palate. This is more of a French Syrah than an Australian Shiraz, dry and mineral, developing smoky notes surrounded by clove and nutmeg. The restraint comes from altitude and low yields rather than from picking early.
Quick Facts
- Grape: 100% Syrah
- Origin: Jordan, Sama al-Sarhan, Oran Plains (clay, limestone and basalt soils at 630m)
- Style: Dry red, medium bodied, peppery, certified organic
- Viticulture: Certified organic, yields held under two tonnes per hectare, no herbicides or chemical fertiliser
Food Pairing
Spicy Thai food, a burger with blue cheese, and boeuf bourguignon.
Serving
Serve at 14 to 16°C. Open fifteen minutes before pouring.
About the Producer
Saint George is the wine of Omar Zumot, whose father Bulos founded the family drinks company in 1954. The name comes from the church of Saint George at Madaba, beside which Omar planted his first vineyard using vines brought from France. The estate now farms three sites: Madaba on clay and limestone, Souf in the mountains of Jerash at 1,150 metres, and the principal vineyard at Sama al-Sarhan on the Syrian border, where basalt thrown out by the extinct volcano of Jabal Druze layers the soil and changes every half metre. All are certified organic. Sheep graze between the rows, irrigation comes from carp ponds that enrich the water with nitrate, and yields are held below two tonnes per hectare, around a quarter of the world average.
