Harvested from three vineyards in Elim, each from a different clone, on soils varying from shale, gravel and ferricrete also known as Koffieklip, the 2017 Syrah is a beautiful example of cool-climate and a great counterpoint to the to the warm-climate Syrah more commonly found in South Africa. Minimal intervention was used during the winemaking process. After de-stemming, wine fermented in open-top containers and benefited from daily punch-downs.
The wine then spent 11 months in old 225L French oak and was bottled in January 2018. Wild strawberries, cranberries, hints of pomegranate and crushed rose petals all neatly integrated with the oak. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity, a lovely saline/spicy thread throughout this Syrah that lends energy and tension towards the precise and detailed finish. This is a superb, sophisticated and nuanced Syrah that should age with style.