2015 Keermont Syrah

The 2015 Syrah Keermont has a riper and more ostentatious bouquet that does not possess the delineation or terroir expression of its peers. The palate is bold and more extracted in style, with weight and plush red fruit, but there is a bit of sweatiness on the finish that is distracting. Maybe a touch of Brettanomyces? Not bad, but not the best in show. I have had better bottles in the past. Tasted blind at the 10-Year-On horizontal in London.

Blend of their three Syrah blocks, Steepside, Topside and Sweetwater, with 13% Mourvèdre from Steepside also added. Open fermenters. 20 months in 225- and 500-litre, used French oak. No filtration. TA 5.2 g/l, pH 3.53, RS 1.6 g/l, total SO2 83 mg/l. 16,432 bottles and 150 magnums. Toffee oak notes, bacon fat and black pepper, raspberry and some rose floral lift. Lovely expression of Syrah, with a brightness of acidity and some finesse. Could just do with a little more length for greatness. (TJ)

The 2015 Syrah has quite a powerful, floral bouquet of black cherry and blueberry fruit infused with crushed violets, perhaps not as refined as the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon tasted alongside. The palate is medium-bodied, with rounded tannins framing a supple, velvet-smooth Syrah that is built to seduce. Discreet notes of clove and pencil lead develop toward the finish. This is a wine that is keeping its cards close to its chest at the moment, so afford it two or three years in the cellar.