Luca Syrah

Luca Syrah is a Mendoza, Argentina red wine made from old-vine Syrah co-fermented with Viognier, bottled at 13.5–14% ABV in a 750ml format. Sourced from Argentina's oldest massal-selection Syrah vines — originating from Rhône Valley cuttings brought to the country in 1955 — this wine has earned 93 points from James Suckling and landed on Wine Spectator's Top 100 list three times (2008, 2014, and 2021).

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5–14%  |  Origin: Mendoza, Argentina  |  Varietal: Syrah with Viognier  |  Producer: Luca Wines (Laura Catena)

Production & Heritage

Luca Wines is the personal project of Laura Catena, daughter of legendary Argentine winemaker Nicolás Catena Zapata. The Syrah vines used in this bottling trace back to a double massal selection developed by viticulturist Luis Laborde, who brought original cuttings from France's Rhône Valley over fifty years ago — making them the oldest known massal Syrah selection in Argentina. Each vintage is aged for 12 months in a combination of 50% new French oak and 50% second-use French oak barrels, a regimen that integrates structure without overwhelming the fruit. The inclusion of Viognier in the blend follows the classic Côte-Rôtie tradition of using a white varietal to lift aromatics and stabilize color in Syrah-dominant wines.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe cassis and blackberry jam before moving into deeper layers of cigar leaf, leather, and smoked meat. Baking spice and toasty oak emerge with time in the glass, joined by subtle forest floor and charcoal notes.

Taste: The palate enters rich and mouthfilling, with concentrated black cherry and dried blueberry giving way to cracked black pepper and cloves at mid-palate. Bitter chocolate and tea leaf complexity build toward a full-bodied peak, supported by very fine, tight tannins that provide structure without astringency.

Finish: Long and lingering with persistent dark fruit and a smoky, peppery trail. The tannins remain polished through the close, leaving a clean earthy impression.

How to Drink Luca Syrah

This wine is best served at 60–65°F with 30 minutes of decanting to let the oak and fruit harmonize. It drinks beautifully on its own but has the weight and spice to hold its ground in food pairing. A classic Kalimotxo variation using a young, simpler Syrah may appeal to adventurous drinkers, but this particular bottling rewards the glass far more than the cocktail shaker. For sangria-style punches, the dark fruit and spice profile anchors a Spanish-style red sangria with blackberries and cinnamon. A simple red wine spritz with sparkling water and an orange peel also works as a warm-weather aperitif, though neat or lightly chilled remains the ideal serve.

Best For

• Gifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates Rhône-style reds from unexpected origins
• Anchoring a steak dinner with a bold, structured Argentine red
• Adding a critically acclaimed bottle to a New World Syrah vertical tasting
• Celebrating a milestone occasion with a wine that has Top 100 recognition

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Luca Syrah taste like? Luca Syrah delivers concentrated blackberry, black cherry, and dried blueberry flavors layered with cracked black pepper, bitter chocolate, and clove spice. The tannins are fine-grained and the body is full, with a long, smoky finish.

How does Luca Syrah compare to Trapiche Iscay Syrah? Both are premium Mendoza Syrahs blended with Viognier, but Luca draws from Argentina's oldest Rhône-origin massal selection vines, giving it a distinct heritage claim. Trapiche Iscay sources from Uco Valley vineyards and tends toward a slightly more modern, polished style, while Luca leans into earthier, more Old World complexity.

Is Luca Syrah good for sipping neat? Absolutely — this is a wine built for contemplative drinking, with enough tannin structure, aromatic depth, and finishing length to reward undivided attention. A brief decant opens up its layered spice and smoke.

Where is Luca Syrah made? Luca Syrah is produced by Luca Wines in Mendoza, Argentina, under the direction of Laura Catena. The grapes come from old massal-selection Syrah vines originally propagated from Rhône Valley cuttings brought to Argentina in the 1950s by viticulturist Luis Laborde.

What foods pair well with Luca Syrah? Grilled Argentine-style short ribs complement its smoky depth. Lamb merguez sausage echoes the wine's peppery spice. Aged Gouda or Manchego cheese matches its toasty oak and dark fruit. Mushroom risotto highlights its earthy, forest-floor character. Dark chocolate desserts mirror its bitter cocoa finish.

What sizes does Luca Syrah come in? Luca Syrah is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Luca Syrah worth the price? Luca Syrah positions as a premium Argentine red, competing favorably with Rhône-style wines at significantly higher price points. Its multiple 90+ point scores from Wine Spectator, James Suckling, Robert Parker, and Wine Enthusiast, along with three appearances on Wine Spectator's Top 100 list, place it firmly in strong-value territory for its quality tier.

Why Luca Syrah?

No other Argentine Syrah can claim vine material this old or this directly linked to the Rhône Valley — the double massal selection developed by Luis Laborde in the 1950s is unique in the country. That heritage translates into a wine with uncommon depth and complexity for its region, earning consistent critical recognition: 93 points from James Suckling, 90+ from Robert Parker and Wine Enthusiast, and repeated inclusion in Wine Spectator's annual Top 100. The co-fermentation with Viognier and judicious French oak aging add finesse without masking the vineyard's voice. For drinkers seeking a Southern Hemisphere Syrah with genuine Old World DNA, this remains one of Argentina's most compelling bottles.