Boekenhoutskloof Syrah 2003 (Platter's Guide 4.5*)

This Wellington single vineyard wine has almost certainly single handedly placed Wellington on the map as a serious red wine producing region. The 2003 vintage really  was a blockbuster with great fruit produced. Barrels of used French oak barrique of varying ages were used for malolactic fermentation and maturation for 27 months; the wine was assembled and bottled without filtration or cold stabilization.

Layers of spice and fruit, with hints of ground pepper dominate the nose of this wine. The palate exhibits savoury and aromatic flavours with a rich and full unctuous textural quality. A magnificent wine from a great vintage which is still an amazing experience to open after many years in the bottle.