Reyneke Syrah

Reyneke Syrah, the aroma alone is worth the price – violets, roses, eucalyptus and savoury spice tones spring from this Syrah to caress the nose. Smooth silky flavours follow in the mouth, Reyneke Syrah has youthful Syrah’s mid-palate and is as pretty as it gets, as it’s loaded with all of the wine’s olfactory fireworks. An hedonistic pleasure, Reyneke Syrah has ripe friendly tannins that frame the fruit in the wine and provide an elegant, refreshing finish.

The Reyneke Vineyards are herbicide, pesticide and fungicide free. While all sorts of poisons are usually used to combat pests, they simply release their natural predators, like ducks – there’s nothing more delicious for a duck than a good, juicy snail. No poison leaching into the grapes. No expensive fertiliser because the ducks do that for them. Everyone’s happy.

All the Syrah grapes are handpicked and hand sorted. 30% whole bunch is foot crushed into concrete Nomblot tanks, after which the other 70% is destemmed over the whole bunches. Spontaneous, natural fermentation occurs with minimal punch downs and pump over’s. Fermentation continues in 2nd and 3rd fill French casks and in 2,500 litre Foudres. The wine ages for 16 months in oak and another 3 months in stainless steel before bottling.

The nose is aromatic and perfumed, with concentrated notes of raspberries and cherries and hints of chamomile flower and fynbos. The complex nose follows through with spicy undertones of cloves and white pepper. The palate is fresh and vibrant with great tannic structure and a long finish. Layers of red fruit and spices, with savoury notes in the background, gives you wine that is well balanced and will drink well from now on until 2022.

This wine received an outstanding 93 point score from Tim Atkin in his latest South Africa wine report.

"The 2017 Syrah shows the heart of Syrah on the nose the with black fruit and a dusty minerality with black pepper and smoky dried herbs. The palate is clean, correct and shows focused precision of balanced dusty ripe fruit and black spice with a soft smokiness that is classic for Syrah. The finish is long and thoughtful and delivers pleasure. Drink 2019 -2032." 90+ points. (Anthony Mueller, The Wine Advocate #245, October 2019)

"An accomplished Syrah from South Africa's first Biodynamic producer. Johan Reyneke works with handpicked grapes, one third of which are foot-troden. Natural fermentation is followed by 14 months in oak. The result is harmonious wine with attractive, violet edged rapsberry and blueberry aromas and a whiff of smoke. Bright red and black fruit on the palate is wrapped in silky tannins, with spicy, savoury hints." 93 Points, Julie Sheppard, Decanter Magazine, January 2020

Reyneke's approach to sustainability