Wine Pick: Viña Falernia Syrah 2012

Try this rich, complex, award-winning red from Chile. (It’s a bargain, too)

Previous vintages of this wine have been in contention for the title of best bottle in all of Chile, and have also met with praise at our own Vancouver Magazine Wine Awards. (The 2010 vintage is one of the winners in the Rich Red category of this year’s edition.) From high-altitude vineyards in Chile’s northern winegrowing regions—sunny, arid, and windy—this Syrah hums with life, and is a colossal value at just 18 bucks. Aromas of brambleberry join those of smoked meat and leather, with black olive and pungent herbal lifts. All of these repeat as flavours on the palate in a dark, potent, chewy mouthful of full-bodied red. Zingy natural acid slices through the fruit density, lending refreshment to every sip and bite. Smoked brisket would be a worthy pairing, or a premium take-out curry.Viña Falernia Syrah 2012$17.99Chile +147819