2017 Reserve Syrah

This is the first time Sam O’Keefe has been able to afford to make this on its own (rather than including it in a blend) and she feels it is the greatest expression of her terroir. Dry farmed, indigenous yeasts. 30% whole bunch, aged in 500- and 700-litre oak, minority new. She was trying to make South African Shiraz before when that was not the style of her fruit. There’s dark fruit, peony, intense Syrah perfume with a minor note of pepper. Opens up to a touch of black olive, which I guess will increase with time in bottle. Acidity is pronounced yet harmonious, the texture fine and the whole is pure fruit because the oak is a hidden support. Mouth-wateringly good and very persistent. (JH)

Meat and smoke with violet perfume, pure blackberry fruit and cracked pepper. An absolute stunner. So perfectly flavoursome without any sense of being forced, showing a gentle hand at work. Tremendous. (RH)

The 2017 Estate Reserve Syrah comes entirely from Greyton, 40% whole cluster and aged in 500-liter barrels with 40% new oak. It has a very refined, perfumed bouquet of red cherries, crushed strawberry, broom, iris and a touch of potpourri. The palate is very well balanced, offering fine tannin on the entry, good weight in the mouth and blackberry, blueberry, clove, star anise and light fennel notes toward the finish. There is very good length here, but it needs another year or two in bottle to fully coalesce. Great potential.