⭐️85/100⭐️ Domaine des Ouled Thaleb Syrocco, 2015 📍Zenata

⭐️85/100⭐️ Domaine des Ouled Thaleb Syrocco, 2015 📍Zenata, Morocco🇲🇦 🍇100% Syrah Tasted: April 2020 Most people probably don’t connect Morocco and wine, but among the North African countries, Morocco is considered best suited for wine making due to it’s high altitude and cool winds from the Atlantic Ocean. Until Morocco’s independence in 1956, Morocco was in fact one of the largest wine producing countries in general, but a combination of restricted acces to the traditional European market in 1967 (by the European Economic Community) and competition from overproduction in other Mediterranean countries, a huge reduction of vineyards took place the following years turning into other crops. Luckily, for the remaining wineries, a higher European demand of warm-climate wine in the 1990’s increased, and especially French winemakers began settling down starting collaborations with local farmers/wineries in Morocco, which today has brought Moroccan wine back on track. Legendary Alain Graillot from Crozes-Hermitage (northern Rhône Valley) discovered the vineyards of Zenata while biking the Atlas Mountains back in 2003. He initiated a collaboration with the oldest winery of Morocco (Ouled Thaleb), which today has resulted in this “Syrocco” from a 20 ha organically farmed vineyard. Located in the northern part of Morocco in the wine area of Zenata (just south from the city of Rabat) with vineyards 500 metres above sea level that makes sure cooling down tha grapes during night to extend the ripening period. Powerful nose with jammy blackberry, burnt wood, acetone, pepper and a hint of menthol. The palate has a really dusty structure with a medium body and extremely velvety tannins. 
A backbone of blackcurrant and plum followed by bay leaves and sweet liquorice in the finish. First guess would have been a Rhône wine, but it lacks of complexity (especially when you know what a big Syrah from Graillot can deliver). I miss some excitement - maybe some acidity as well to balance just a bit.
But for the price it’s still pretty good. Spotted at @bichelvine