Wine Profile
Wine Description
Producer:Boekenhoutskloof
Country:South Africa
Region:Franschhoek
Vintage:2019
Grape:
Red
The wine that launched the modern Syrah revolution in South Africa, even if it’s sourced from two sites in Swartland these days, rather than Somerset West. Almost indecently perfumed and alluring, this is a very immediate wine that will also reward cellaring. Sweet spices, red berry fruit, fine savoury tannins and just a hint of oak with energetic acidity. 2023-2031.”
Boekenhoutskloof was established in 1776 and is located in the furthest corner of the beautiful Franschhoek valley. In 1993 the farm and homestead was bought and restored and a new vineyard planting programme was established that now includes Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Semillon and Viognier. Boekenhoutskloof were named Platters ‘Winery of the Year’.
Grapes for our Boekenhoutskloof Syrah are picked from selected parcels of the finest Syrah, grown at our Swartland farms, namely Porseleinberg and Goldmine, close to the small town of Riebeek-Kasteel. The 2019 vintage was one of our earliest Swartland pickings to date, with our Syrah harvest commencing during the last week of January. The growing conditions and compact bunches produced concentrated Syrah, resulting in a slightly higher skin-to-pulp ratio, resulting in wines with balanced power, lower alcohol and elegant, perfumed fruit.
The nose is perfumed, forthcoming and fresh, offering an array of rich dark fruits with a spicy, floral, even feral character, derived from complex aromas of dark berries, plums, violets, black olives, star anise and potting soil. The black fruits and earthy character of the nose follow through onto a dark, brooding palate with flavours of wild berries, brambles, liquorice, tobacco, cloves and black cardamom. The mid-palate is concentrated, deep, dense and slightly dusty, with dry, very fine cocoa-powdery tannins lending structure. The wine is very precise, with a medium to full body, a tight, grainy texture and vibrant acidity to balance. Blackberries, blueberries and notes of garrigue and dark chocolate linger on a savoury finish.
