The 2015 Syrah begins with with a black core of fruit with a grippy and rigid minerality on the nose. The palate is bone-dry with a taught mineral-driven expression that moves to a grippy tannic nature that lingers long on the finish with black spice and plum skin, and black tea. The body is full and brooding confirming the tannins are built for years to come. In youth, this acts like a young Barolo, as it can be unforgiving upon release. I am very interested to see these wines again in the year 2030. Only 800 cases were produced.

100% Syrah. With reserves from the very wet 2014 vintage and slightly above-average rainfall for the 2015 vintage the foundation was set for an exceptional harvest. Growing conditions were cool, no excessive winds or rain during flowering and fruit set and an inch and a half of rain during late November were all positive. Harvest kicked off quickly then settled down for some later pickings. Everything was just in perfect balance. Grapes were hand-picked and transferred as whole bunches to concrete tanks. The bunches were foot-stomped, after which natural fermentation took place. During the ferment two pumpovers were done per day until the fermentation was complete. Maturation took place over 12 months in 90% wood (foudre) and 10% concrete egg. Bottling was done early March 2016. Yield 5–6 t/ha. A famously successful vintage. ‘Boringly good’, according to winemaker Callie Louw. (They bought the old Goldmine vineyard around this time.) TA 5 g/l, pH 3.9, RS 2.5 g/l. Deep, concentrated garnet. Really lovely, complex nose. Sweet and fresh and utterly charming, and already a great drink. Though underneath there is probably enough fine tannin for the future. (JR)

Perhaps ailing a little bit from sulphurous reduction, but there’s plenty of dense fruit on the nose too. The palate is gorgeously ripe and pure with smoke, red fruit and pepper spice. Finely ground tannins, naturally bright acidic lift. Perhaps not the all-singing, all-dancing version I was expecting, but still effortlessly attractive. (RH)