2014 Clonal Selection Syrah
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Tasting notes
'Richard Kershaw is perhaps the most technocratic winemaker I know.' His Syrah uses clones 9C (ovoid, later ripener, the old 165 Barossa clone, from the original 1800s Busby clone) to give savoury and iodine notes; and 22 (a newer Barossa clone to give structure and colour, ripening before 9C, adding texture with mocha/chocolate notes). This vintage also has some 99 – a fruitier clone, usually at home in southern Stellenbosch. One thing you are not short of when you taste with Richard is background information. Arguably this makes Kershaw’s Chardonnay chez Naked look like a steal. Beautifully judged, vibrant cool-climate Syrah – a fascinating comparison with that from the other MW, Sam Harrop, in the warmer climate of Waiheke, NZ. I love this! Ripe but not fat. Very clean finish. So appetising and truly varietal. Geographical too, doubtless. Long. (JR)
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Neal Martin, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2014 Clonal Selection Elgin Syrah has a refined bouquet that actually needed some coaxing from the glass, eventually offering boysenberry, bilberry and violet scents. The palate is well balanced with sappy red berry fruit, white pepper and hints of bacon fat towards the finish. There something animally and gamey about this Syrah, yet that merely enhances its complexity. This is a very fine Syrah that will give a decade's worth of drinking pleasure.