2019 Porseleinberg

The 2019 Porseleinberg saw 415mm of rain, slightly more than previous years and cool growing conditions so that volumes were higher and the harvest could be conducted at a more leisurely pace, based upon tasting grapes in the vineyard. Matured for 12 months in 90% foudres and 10% concrete eggs, this has a peppery and spicy bouquet: bouquet garni, cracked black pepper and a touch of fennel. It's an absolute doppelgänger for a Côte-Rôtie. The palate is medium-bodied and broad-shouldered due perhaps to slightly higher residual sugar, with layers of black fruit laced with white pepper and clove, segueing into a more savory finish with touches of meat juice. There is captivating precision here, a brilliant Porseleinberg.

100% Syrah. The 2019 vintage saw close to the average rainfall, 415 mm for the year, with good rains from July to September, leading to a very even budbreak in mid September. The rest of the growing season was cool and dry (the even vintages have been warmer), with only 32 mm rainfall from October until harvest in February. Harvest started during the first week of February. The bunches and berries were slightly larger than in the previous super-dry years, and the fruit was flawless. Grapes were hand-picked and crushed as whole bunches into concrete fermentation tanks with the cap submerged. Minimal pumpovers were performed with the submerged cap, and the ferments ran cool and dry within 10 days. Maturation took place over 12 months in 90% foudre and 10% concrete egg. Bottled mid July 2020. TA 5 g/l, pH 3.9, RS 2.5 g/l. Transparent dark garnet. More peppery than usual, according to winemaker Callie Louw. Paler than usual. Mild and fresh on the nose. Very sweet indeed. Gentle with a friendly texture but this is a little less distinctive than the others. Clean and fresh. (JR)

A brilliant and shining star, the 2019 Syrah bursts with savory herbs, red florals and spiced red fruit tones. Medium to full-bodied, the palate shows an umami character with impressive mineral tension, succulent acidity and balanced tannins before concluding with a long, seductive and spicy finish. The wine continues to reveal its secrets with the persistent lingering aftertaste. 24,000 bottles were made from 100% whole-cluster Syrah.