Andrea Calek
Chatons de Garde 2019
If you think you know Rhône Valley Syrah, think again. Since Czech winemaker Andrea Calek settled in Ardeche, he’s shaken our idea of what French Syrah can be using a combination of carbonic maceration (for three weeks!) and year-long oak aging. The result is deep, dark, and wildly aromatic, with lots of juicy black fruit and spice, accompanied by earthy forest floor notes and persistent tannins. A big wine for big moments!
Grape Variety: Syrah
Region: Rhône Valley, France
Tastes like: Blackberries, dark cherries, black pepper, & forest floor
Best with: Roast lamb with mint sauce, blue cheese, salumi
Size: 750 ml
Alc Content: 13%
made in france by
Andrea Calek
Somewhat of a maverick, Andrea Calek is hyper focused on creating wines of exceptional quality centered around minimal intervention and organic practices. Together with his partner, Stephana, they are able to create beautiful and delicate expressions of ‘Ardeche-ian’ terroir without compromising on any of their ideologies.
a closer look
Behind the Bottle
Originally from the Czech Republic, he now makes his wines in the Rhône Valley. An advocate of hyper-natural, absolutely no additives are tolerated in his process, preferring that the climate and grapes, specific to each vintage, can express themselves freely. He favors carbonic maceration for his more fresh and juicy wines, and aging in old oak barrels for extended periods for his more complex and age worthy wines.