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Waterkloof Syrah, WO Stellenbosch 2020

FBW108

Waterkloof

The third release under the Waterkloof label is an elegant, northern Rhone-ish Syrah with lovely purity of crushed red berry fruit. Supple and plush but built to last.

Meet the producer

Founded by Paul Boutinot in 2004, Waterkloof is a family-owned farm using organic practices. The farm is perched high...

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Production

Eighteen years ago, Waterkloof made a first wine deemed worthy of the Waterkloof label. A Sauvignon Blanc from a mature and rather special little block of vines atop The Schapenberg made the grade. During the intervening years, with the hard-work and ingenuity of Christiaan Loots and his dedicated team, vast improvements have been made to the health of our vineyards and their surrounding eco-system, from being named one of South Africa’s first WWF Conservation Champions to converting Waterkloof into a regenerative farm. Yet the wait for a second Waterkloof wine went on, with a few agonizingly near-misses along the way. Truly special things should not be rushed though and they were convinced that with the continued maturity of their highest, oldest chenin block, it was only one great vintage away from becoming Waterkloof wine number two. 2021 was the year and Nadia Langenegger, alongside her brilliant cellar team brought the grapes home with distinction. We feel this second vintage in 2022 has raised the bar again. The grapes are hand sorted and whole bunch pressed, then wild yeast fermented in 600l French oak barrels. The wine spends 10 months on lees without stirring. No additions were made other than sulphur.

Tasting notes

A lifted, expressive, red berry nose with white pepper, dried herbs and lightly smoky notes. Full and fleshy on the palate with fresh plum and blackberry leading to a layered, savoury finish with fine tannins enveloped by ripe, textured fruit.

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