Damascene Swartland Syrah 2021

“From three divergent Swartland sites. Soils of granite, schist, shale and ferricrete act as building blocks to achieve, striking, harmonious balance. The purity, perfume and spice of granite-grown fruit is complemented by the more earthy tones of grapes harvested from shale and schist outcrops, imbuing the wine with structure and depth. Light, bright aromas from whole cluster fermentation (75%) has captured the essence and concentration of the low-yielding sites: wild forest berries, plum skin, and cherries with a savoury undercurrent of meaty-spice. The palate is elegant and fine, cossetted in powdery tannins. The brightness of fruit evolves to more savoury notes with a core of dense black cherries and almond, fanning out into tomato leaf and black olive, with the driven acidity persisting well into the finish. Black cherry notes linger leisurely. Distinctly Swartland.” – Jean Smit