2013 Boekenhoutskloof Syrah Coastal Region

The 2013 Syrah, which may in the future be sourced predominantly from the Porseleinberg site, saw 26 months in second fill French oak with around half spending the final eight months in foudre. It has a very controlled bouquet, nicely defined but not quite "letting go" as I would have expected. Gradually there are hints of wild mint and violet emerging, imparting more varietal character, I think manifested much by the Porseleinberg fruit that constitutes 25% of the current blend. The palate is more comfortable in its own skin: nicely defined with fine grainy tannin, pure and quite minerally red berry fruit with a composed, very refined finish. This is a well crafted Syrah from Boekenhoutskloof.