94 Vinous Media
The 2016 Syrah was "a hell of a challenge," according to winemaker Callie Louw, but he produced an absolutely stunning wine, despite the parched vines suering half the amount of rainfall. The wine was matured in 70% foudres and 30% concrete eggs. This was the first year the alcohol level breached 14.0%. The very expressive bouquet, more vivid than the 2015, features blackberry, bilberry, a touch of raspberry, cracked black pepper and just a faint hint of charcoal. This is a very cerebral Porseleinberg. The palate is medium-bodied with ne tannin, outstanding structure, broody black fruit and gentle grip, and the schist soils are very expressive on a finish that feels fresh but extremely complex. - Neal Martin
17/20 Jancis Robinson
Tasted: 29-SEP-23
Drinking Dates: 2022-2032
100% Syrah. On the back of the driest winter in decades a very small crop (yields 2–3 t/ha) was the result. Just 221 mm annual rainfall, but the older vines seemed more tolerant to the dry conditions. This was the first of three drought years in a row. ‘The police patrolled the river to stop farmers pumping water out because it was meant for the west coast.’ The growing season was warm and dry, putting more pressure on the moisture levels of the soils. The small crop was clean and ripened very quickly. Harvest started early, end January, and was done by mid February. Grapes were hand-picked and transferred as whole bunches to concrete tanks. The bunches were foot-stomped, after which natural fermentation took place. During the ferment two pumpovers were done per day until the fermentation was complete. Maturation took place over 12 months in 70% wood (foudre) and 30% concrete egg. Bottling was done early March 2017. TA 5 g/l, pH 3.9, RS 2 g/l. Very dark crimson. Very intense nose. Sweet and gentle and you’d never guess this was from a drought year. So different from the 2011. Why? ‘We were just farming the site better’, according to winemaker Callie Louw. It wasn’t completely dry-farmed in 2016 – ‘We started with irrigation when the river ran dry in January.’ Throbbing with fruit and an undertow of liquorice. (JR)
95 James Suckling
Critic: James Suckling
Tasted: 24-OCT-22
An expressive nose of white pepper, melted chocolate, sliced plums and pitted cherries. Full-bodied with very fine tannins. Vibrant and expressive on the palate with succulent red and black fruit. Cherries and blackberries. Bright acidity lifts everything up and is further pushed by the vibrant spice. Clove, coriander and white pepper. Drink or hold.
95 Decanter Score
Critic: Tina Gellie
Tasted: 05-FEB-19
Drinking Dates: 2020-2029
The seductive, sexy nose draws you in with an alluring perfume of wild raspberries, hints of balsamic strawberries and fynbos. The concentrated yet elegant palate is equally approachable but has so much more to give: layers of mulberry and boysenberry fruit are joined by lifted notes of violet, slate and tarmac, with velvety tannins and fresh acidity. It's expressive, complex and silky, with great vitality thanks to 100% whole-bunch old-vine fruit aged 70% in foudres and 30% in concrete eggs.
