Boekenhoutskloof Syrah Swaartland

Aromas of blueberries, plums, olives, grilled herbs and peppercorns. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. Fresh, layered and well-balanced with a delicious, savory core of dark fruit. Pretty olive notes on the spicy finish. Classic syrah. Drink now or hold.

With a dark ruby core and a deep magenta rim, the nose on 2018 Syrah erupts with classic tones of black pepper, cured meat, sweet and juicy red and black fruit, dusty red cherry, black raspberry and blackberry reduction. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is delineated with bright and dusty flavors of plum reduction and blackberry jus before offering up a spicy and floral essence across the mid-palate with lifting tannins that support the frame. The wine concludes with a long, lingering and subtly spiced finish, leaving lasting tones of dusty blackberry, roasted espresso bean, baking spices and fresh cracked black pepper. Eighty percent of the Syrah grapes came from the Porseleinberg vineyard.

The 2018 Syrah, which includes 40% whole bunch, has a very intense bouquet of macerated dark cherries, boysenberry, mint and light garrigue scents. The palate is medium-bodied with bold tannins and layers of licorice-tinged black fruit. Grippy and firm, this Syrah will require 2–3 years in bottle to soften. Very fine.