The 2020 Syrah is a 90/10 cuvée of grapes from the Porseleinberg and Goldmine properties and is another triumphant release from Marc Kent and Gottfried Mocke. Far from being a blockbuster, this is a subtle, layered wine, with aromas of violet and five-spice, subtle 60% whole bunches and flavours of bramble, blackberry and goji berry. Silky, scented and deftly oaked.

The 2020 Syrah Boekenhoutskloof is the first vintage under 14% alcohol. It utilizes 60% whole bunches with natural ferment in concrete vats and aged for 18 months mainly in Stockinger foudres. It has a cool but focused bouquet that gains intensity with aeration: blackcurrants, bilberry, pressed iris flower and a pinch of Provençal herbs. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, sappy and beautifully balanced, gently building towards a voluminous, almost Côte-Rôtie-like finish. One of the best Syrahs that I have tasted from Boekenhoutskloof in a while.

The 2020 Syrah, crafted with 65% whole-cluster fruit, presents dark cherry, dusty florals and a hint of black pepper on the nose. It's clean, fresh and correct, with a mineral-driven expression and a dusty floral sensation on the palate. Medium-bodied, the wine is spicy and will undoubtedly shine even brighter when paired with food. This Syrah aged for 18 months, with 90% in Stockinger foudre. It promises a delightful and versatile drinking experience, but decanting for 30 minutes is recommended. Exactly 47,852 bottles were produced.

This is their sixth vintage using Swartland fruit. What a contrast with the 2009 and 2010. Sourced from their Goldmine (12%) and Porseleinberg (88%) properties. Vineyards are planted on decomposed mica schist and brown schist soils. Each site and parcel harvested is vinified separately, partially destemmed and spontaneously fermented in Nico Vela tulip-shaped concrete tanks, with soft délestage 2–3 times a day. Once maceration is completed, the wine is matured in traditional Stockinger 2,500-litre foudres and 600-litre demi-muids for a further 18 months. TA 5 g/l, pH 3.87, RS 1.9 g/l. So completely different from the Franschhoek Syrah. Much more red-fruited. This is beautiful, pure dark-red fruit, so fresh, with layers of paper-fine tannins. More of a northern Rhône style with elegance and length and yet shows the richness and fruit sweetness of a warmer region and the structure that characterises wines from these vines. (JH)