Wines Tuscany Piazzano - Syrah - 2019

Viniou Reviews

Piazzano’s 2019 Syrah cuvée, carrying the Toscana IGT designation, is an enticing red from the heart of Italy’s celebrated Tuscany region. This wine is crafted exclusively from the Syrah grape, known for its bold fruit and peppery notes. The 2019 vintage benefited from a growing season marked by balanced weather, providing the grapes with optimal ripeness and expressive aromatic development. After careful hand-harvesting, the Syrah grapes are vinified with respect for tradition, often including a period of maceration to extract rich color and structure, followed by aging in oak, which imparts subtle spice and additional complexity. The result is a wine displaying deep ruby hues, aromas of ripe blackberries, black pepper, violets, and a hint of savory Mediterranean herbs, with a palate that is both generous and refined, featuring polished tannins and a lingering, peppery finish.

The wine hails from Tuscany, a region renowned for rolling hills, mild Mediterranean climate, and rich, varied soils that range from clay to limestone and sandstone. This diversity, coupled with significant temperature swings between day and night, allows varieties like Syrah to thrive, developing both concentration and finesse. Tuscany’s viticultural tradition is centuries old, historically dominated by Sangiovese, but in recent decades, international varieties such as Syrah have found a welcome home in the IGT classification, giving winemakers the freedom to express their vision beyond traditional appellation rules.

For food pairings, this Syrah's structure and lively acidity make it a wonderful match for robust Tuscan cuisine. Consider grilled Florentine steak (bistecca alla fiorentina), wild boar ragù over pappardelle, or aged pecorino cheese with fig compote. Its peppery undertones also complement roasted lamb with aromatic herbs or a rich mushroom risotto, highlighting both the wine’s spice and earthy complexity.

To fully appreciate the nuance of the 2019 Piazzano Syrah, serve it at 16-18°C, allowing it to breathe in the glass or decanter for about half an hour before tasting. This will let the fruit and spice aromas shine, ensuring a more harmonious, layered tasting experience. The wine will continue to develop beautifully over the next few years if you prefer more tertiary, evolved notes.