Porseleinberg Syrah 2020

Porseleinberg is one of the most sought-after and iconic wines in South Africa, not only because Tim Atkin gave the 2018 vintage a 100/100 score, but because this is a brilliant wine with such a unique and unmistakable taste. Once you have tasted Porseleinberg once, you will always know when it is in your glass again - probably even from just the smell of the wine. Due to the fact that this wine is impossible to find on any shelf, I decided to take a drive out to Callie Louw's cellar, next to his house. After a long, scenic drive through canola lands, we eventually arrived at his house where we were welcomed by a calf and Callie. He took us on a tour through his cellar, printed some custom-made labels for us and did a tasting for us in his study of the last 5 years. It was such an unexpected but great experience that will always remain with me.

In addition to the striking content of the bottle, the label of this wine can be identified from far away between many others. It is a linen white label with everything embossed on the front. The back labels are custom made for each customer and all printed by hand on an old, manual press machine. In the glass, you have a garnet wine with a hint of purple. The distinct Porseleinberg smelll of bramble berry and fynbos, against a strong savoury background is forthcoming on the nose. The entry on the palate is very fresh with the perception of a péttilant on the mid-palate. It spreads gradually over the entire palate with the raspberries, bramble berries and savoury notes coming forward first. Next, some green notes - fynbos and even fresh asparagus - from the whole bunch fermentation becomes evident. The tannins are very round and elegant throughout, providing structure but never in the foreground of this wine. It has a long finish of earthy and savoury notes that remain fresh.

The Porseleinberg Syrah is the type of wine that you probably want to share with an intimate group of people. You can decant it if you want, you can cool it down if you want. But most importantly, you should enjoy it with good company. This wine can be enjoyed by itself, but it will also compliment a ribeye steak with vegetables well. Some bottle variation has been noticed but the wine will always show well. It can be enjoyed now or within the next 20 years.

Producer: Porseleinberg

Variety: Syrah 100%

Vintage: 2020

Origin: Swartland, Western Cape, South Africa

Winemaker: Callie Louw

Closure: Cork

Alcohol: 13.36%

RS: 2.1g/l

Average price: R800

Rating: 98/100