2017 Boekenhoutskloof Syrah Swaartland

Gottfried Mocke has the advantage of using grapes from two contrasting but equally wonderful Syrah sites to produce this impressive red: Goldmine on decomposed schist and Porseleinberg on rocky, unyielding schist. Showing subtle stony aromas, it's deftly oaked, layered and very complex, with cherry and blackberry fruit, nuanced tannins and racy, refreshing acidity. One of the Cape's best examples. 2021-32.

The 2017 Syrah is 35% whole bunch fruit, fermented in concrete and matured for 16 months in 60% new oak. It has a seductive, beautifully defined bouquet, the pure dark cherry, boysenberry and pressed violet aromas wafting from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, astutely judged acidity and lovely cohesion. There is real elegance in this Syrah, and a classic finish. You might well mistake it for the Northern Rhône (Cornas?) if served blind. Superb. 2022 - 2045.

Some real interest here! It's young, but its various aromatic registers point to future complexity: black fruit, pomegranate, black pepper, oregano, rose... but still on the closed side for now. Medium to full, good energy and tension, finishing dry and grippy - it's more tannic than many South African Syrahs. The fruit comes from two sites in the Swartland (Porseleinberg and Goldmine), fermented separately after partial destemming. Still one of the go-to estates for Syrah in South Africa. Drinking Window 2020 - 2025.

Dark, rich red and black fruits with a core of floral black pepper compound each other and create a synergy with the 2017 Swartland Syrah. The spice aromas are well-integrated on the nose. The palate is tightly structured and focused with the precision of high-quality Syrah. The finish is focused and has an assertiveness that is clearly Syrah. With precision of balance, the medium to full-bodied wine lingers on the long finish, which has a tight tannic grip that will last for years to come. 27,000 bottles were produced from a natural and spontaneous fermentation, with 35% whole cluster. 2019-2031.

Gottfried Mocke has the advantage of using grapes from two contrasting but equally wonderful Syrah sites to produce this impressive red: Goldmine on decomposed schist and Porseleinberg on rocky, unyielding schist. Showing subtle stony aromas, it's deftly oaked, layered and very complex, with cherry and blackberry fruit, nuanced tannins and racy, refreshing acidity. One of the Cape's best examples. 2021-32.

92P+: Klart for ung. Masser af Nord-Rhône fornemmelse her, arketypisk udtryk for druen med pebret krydderi, olien og en stram struktur. Frugten er sødmefuld og ganske fed og afslører oprindelsen uden for Frankrig. Bedre på anden dag, kræver tid til at åbne sig.