Damascene Stellenbosch Syrah 2023 750ml

This Stellenbosch Syrah, perhaps the most aromatically complex in the Damascene range, bursts with five spice, citrus rind, red plum, cherries, musk candy, and white pepper. The palate offers a gentle blend of red plums, cherry skins, and subtle hints of smoked game. This opening flavor profile spreads across the palate, interwoven with star anise, white pepper, and cloves. Tannins are moderate and well-integrated, finishing with a tidy structure.

Two vineyards contribute to this wine. The higher vineyard, planted in 1996 on a southeast-facing granitic slope at Karibib in the Polkadraai Hills, is situated at 290 meters above sea level and 13 kilometers from False Bay. The second vineyard, planted at 275 meters above sea level on a northwest-facing granitic block in the Bottelary Hills, offers a contrasting terroir.

The fruit was hand-harvested between March 2nd and 13th, 2023, at a ripeness of 23.4 to 24˚B. After chilling to 8˚C, the fruit was separated into smaller fermentation batches with a 75% whole cluster fraction. Fermentation took place in tulip-shaped concrete fermenters with twice-daily pump-overs. Primary fermentation and malolactic conversion occurred spontaneously. The wine matured in 2000-liter conical Austrian oak vats for 11 months and was bottled without fining for a more complex and authentic expression of Syrah.