| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | South Africa |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
The 2023 Syrah Granite comes from Jakkalsfontein and is fermented in the barrels that it is aged in. It spends 12 months in 500-litre French oak with a further nine months in foudres. This has a perfumed and quite floral bouquet with pressed iris flower and a touch of peony infusing the black fruit, hints of Earl Grey and white pepper emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins, very linear and vibrant and impressive density and length on the finish. Excellent. Drink 2027-2042
Granite coms from the famous Jakkalsfontein vineyard on the Paardeberg and is an uncompromising expression of the site. Dense, compact and characteristically muscular, it has lots of dry-farmed, low-yielding intensity, layers of damson, black olive and steak tartare and a concentrated, unyielding finish.
The Granite Syrah pops with sweet cherry fruit, light reduction and almonds on the nose, which shows its youth at this stage as it comes together. The palate is more resolved, with chalky tannins smoothed by succulent red fruit. This is a perfumed, juicy red, ample without spilling over and accented with Syrah character. It is young, and squeaky clean. I expect it will unfurl and improve with a couple of years in bottle.
