The wine that launched the modern Syrah revolution in South Africa, even if it's sourced from two sites in the Swartland these days, rather than Somerset West. Almost indecently perfumed and alluring, this is a very immediate wine that will also reward cellaring. Sweet spices, red berry fruit, fine, savoury tannins and just a hint of oak with energetic acidity. Drink 2023 - 2031
Grapes for our Boekenhoutskloof Syrah are picked from selected parcels of the finest Syrah, grown at our Swartland farms, namely Porseleinberg and Goldmine, close to the small town of Riebeek-Kasteel.. The 2019 vintage was one of the earliest Swartland pickings to date, with the Syrah harvest commencing during the last week of January. The growing conditions and compact bunches produced concentrated Syrah, resulting in a slightly higher skin-to-pulp ratio, resulting in wines with balanced power, lower alcohol and elegant, perfumed fruit.
The grapes were hand-harvested into lug boxes and transported to Boekenhoutskloof in Franschhoek for vinification. Grapes were cooled then transferred to tulip-shaped concrete tanks for fermentation. A combination of partially destemmed and whole-bunch (60%) clusters fermented spontaneously with minimal sulphur additions and no acidification. A soft délestage was performed 2-3 times per day. Once maceration is complete, the skins are basket pressed and gravity-fed into traditional 2 500L Austrian oak foudres and 600L demi-muids for further ageing of up to 18 months.
