Reyneke Organic Syrah 2019

A perfumed nose with upfront white pepper, lavender, cherries, oreganum and other red fruit and undertones of pimento spice. The palate is elegant and balanced, with underlying structure and a long finish. The dried herb and red fruit aromatics are elevated by the distinguished chalky tannins of this wine, which continue to evolve as the wine opens up. Truly a wine to savour and with a few years’ ageing potential.

The hand-harvested Syrah grapes are hand sorted before they are introduced into Nomblot concrete tanks and submerged cap tanks for spontaneous alcoholic fermentation. 30% of the grapes are left as whole bunches, although the berries on the stalks get crushed to avoid carbonic fermentation at the bottom of the tank. The remaining 70% of the grapes are destemmed before the single berries are pumped over the crushed whole clusters. Natural fermentation occurs with minimal and measured punch downs and pump overs. After the alcoholic fermentation is complete, the wine gets pressed off the skins. Natural malolactic fermentation then follows in older French casks and larger 2500L foudres. The wine ages for 14 months in oak and another four months in stainless steel tanks to harmonise after final assemblage. Bottle ageing of nine months occurs before the final product is released.