Domaine des Ouled Thaleb Syrocco Syrah 2022 | eWineAsia.com

This North African Syrah may just be the dark horse of the Graillot portfolio, though it still delivers plenty of interest and value. For those new to this wine, it hails from the Atlantic ventilated hills of Morocco's Zanata region in the lee of the spectacular Middle Atlas Mountains. The relatively cool climate and altitude here - and the mix of red and black clay over a base of limestone and ancient ocean-bed remnants - provide the right mix of conditions for scented, juicy, layered Syrah that Alain Graillot hopes will showcase the surprising potential of Morocco.

The story has it that Alain Graillot was cycling in Morocco (hence the tandem bike and palm tree on the label) when he stopped off at Domaine des Ouled Thaleb, 40km inland from the Atlantic Ocean in the lee of the spectacular Middle Atlas Mountains. A conversation with the Domaine's then oenologist, Jacques Poullaine, and a close look at sites in Rommani and Benslimane convinced Graillot of the potential for producing highly elegant Syrah.