2011 Boekenhoutskloof Syrah

The 2011 Syrah undergoes malolactic in barriques raised for 26 months in second-fill French oak barriques and 28% in foudres. The bouquet is tightly wound at first, but soon unfolds to offer scents of raspberry preserve, undergrowth, white pepper and touches of white fennel. The palate is very well-balanced with a crisp line of acidity. This feels vibrant and full of energy in the mouth, the tannins supple but with complex white pepper, fennel, sage and rosemary notes toward the very Northern Rhône-like finish. Superb, but grace it with a couple of years in bottle.