2015 Boekenhoutskloof Syrah Swaartland

Released for the first time as a Swartland Syrah, with fruit taken from the Goldmine and Porseleinberg vineyards, this sees 10% whole bunches and is a remarkable wine: plush and rich, with notes of roasted meat, lavender and incense, dense colour tannins and a twist of pepper spice. 2019- 27.

The 2015 Syrah (100% Syrah) comes from the Porseleinberg and Goldmine Vineyards and is partially destemmed and aged 18 months in 500- and 600-liter barrels. It offers a beautiful bouquet of blueberries, violets, crushed rocks and pepper to go with a medium to full-bodied, voluptuous, yet elegant style on the palate. With sweet tannin, beautiful purity of fruit, and a great finish, it's another sensational Syrah from winemaker Marc Kent. It's certainly not far behind the more expensive Porseleinberg Syrah, has incredible character, and will drink nicely for at least a decade.

The 2015 Syrah is 80% Porseleinberg and 20% Goldmine Vineyard fruit, the latter is adjacent to the Mullineux vineyard. It has a very attractive bouquet with blackberry and raspberry fruit, a lovely floral component emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, crisp acidity, very pure with cloves and sage towards the elegant, yet sustained finish. A more sophisticated proposition compared to the 2014 no doubt, this will be superb once released.