2013 Reyneke Reserve Red

The 2013 Reserve Red is 100% Syrah from a single vineyard that simply yields the best fruit. It is 35% whole cluster and the rest de-stemmed, raised for 18 months in second fill French barriques. (Incidentally, there was no 2011 Reserve Red.) There are plenty of crushed violets on the nose here with good definition; nothing is held back, which is exactly what you want. The palate is well balanced with mint-tinged, succulent black fruit and hints of eucalyptus, but nothing too strong. Cohesive in the mouth with a gentle grip on the finish, afford this a couple of years in bottle.