Initial review, by way of background: This is Viña La Playa Axel Syrah, Colchagua Valley, Chile, 2007, finished at 14.% alcohol. This small production wine is made by the Axelsen family, with patriarch Søren originally hailing from Copenhagen, Denmark.
In the glass: La Playa Axel shows as brilliant ruby magenta, opaque in the center.
On the nose: Poured cool with a brief decant and swirled vigorously, this Chilean syrah shows a bold, sweet blood nose, with broody, inky and fruity elements all playing off each other.
On the palate: The fruit wins on the palate, with a brighter-than-expected purple middle. Acids are there for sure, and likely some tannins. This will need to settle down for awhile with a longer decant to properly assess.
In summary: Overall, tentatively rates three stars on the five-star Spirit of Wine scale, because for the nose alone I would return for another glass. But watch this space to see what a long decant achieves...
Following 6-hour decant: The nose has closed in a bit, though showing the same stylistic elements of dark ink and fruit. Now a much better balance on the palate, with rich, sturdy blackberry fruit showing solid supporting tannins and acids that are well in-check. Puts this solidly in the three-star camp. I'm interested to see what will happen with even lengthier decanting, so I will keep a partial bottle cool under vacuum for a few days...
Following long decant, three days kept cool under vacuum in partially filled bottle: Deep, blood red nose has held well. The decant has brought a much richer, lusher balance to the palate. Chewy tannins provide nice support to a deep, very rich, very ripe, blackest of blackberry middles. Some cocoa in there, almost chocolate. Notches a plus on top of the three stars, and crowds towards a fourth star. Good value, and I'm going to try an EVEN longer decant...
And even longer decant, two more days kept cool in partially filled bottle without vacuum: Still bloody and sweet/beefy on the nose, now somewhat bright too. Deep and full still on the palate, finishing bright. Held up well.
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