| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | South Africa |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by Boekenhoutskloof
In the right hands, great sites produce great wines. Since its inception in 2010, Porseleinberg has been one of the Cape's most exciting reds, but nothing quite prepared me for the transcendent brilliance of this wine. Influenced by some time spent at Domaine Jamet in Cote Rotie- particularly their use of a submerged cap during fermentation - Callie Louw has made a stunning Syrah, proving his skills as both a farmer and a winemaker. In 2018, the style has shifted, away from power and grip to something more scented and refined. Focused, nuanced and very delicately oaked, with raspberry and wild strawberry fruit, clove and white pepper spice and textured tannins. Simply world class.
Savory aromas of grilled plums, meat and herbs as well as hot stone and crushed blackberries. Full-bodied with fine, silky tannins that are soaked in fruit and run the length of the palate. Bright and driven with wonderful depth and complexity. Mineral and textural with wonderful length. White smoke and grated nutmeg. Drink or hold.
Beginning with a dark ruby core with magenta highlights, the 2018 Syrah open to a bright, lifted fruit array with intense aromatics of black cherry, dark plum and black raspberry before making way to a beautiful spice rack of black peppercorn, dried herbs and freeze-dried strawberry with a mineral essence. Medium to full-bodied, the wine continues to somersault in the mouth, offering a delightful array of dusty roses, lavender and lilac, black peppercorn and potpourri. Juicy acidity and high toned, red fruit flavors express in waves with a kiss of iodine and umami with a delightful mineral tension. The wine finishes with elements of graphite and black raspberry that sway with a taught, dusty essence, long, lingering spice notes and firm, buttressing tannins. Drink 2023-2040.
27,600 bottles were produced by winemaker Callie Louw. The 2018 is a glowing success compared to last year's tannin parade; this may be the best vintage yet. The 2018 vintage marks the first time the Syrah received a submerged cap fermentation, which focused the expression, delivering a lifted and floral edge with a balanced structure and fine-tuned tannic structure, reminding me of Syrah from the Walla Walla Valley. It’s time to start collecting these wines if you are unfamiliar with them. Bravo! I'm finishing my glass and not spitting this tasting sample!
