Boekenhoutskloof Syrah 2016

Category:
 
Red Wines
Sub-Category:  
 
Red Wines
Producer:
 
Boekenhoutskloof
Label Name:
 
Syrah
Vintage:
 
2016
Country:
 
South Africa
Region:
 
Swartland (fruit) / Franschhoek (producer)
Volume:
 
750ml
ABV:
 
14%
Grape(s):
 
Syrah
Acidity:
 
4
Tannins:
 
4
Sweetness:
 
1
Body:
 
5
Length:
 
4
Aroma Intensity:
 
4
Best Temperature:
 
16-18°C

Awards/Ratings
Selected scores for the 2016 Syrah include Tim Atkin ~95–96pts, James Suckling ~95, Vinous ~94, Wine Advocate ~90, Tom Cannavan ~93, Jancis Robinson 17/20; Platter’s (SA guide) 4. 5–5 stars

Tasting Note
Brooding black and blue fruit, black olive, violets and leather with black pepper, cloves and cocoa. Full-bodied, minerally and smoky, with fine-grained tannins and a long, peppery, savory finish.

Food Pairing
Western: grilled lamb chops, braised beef short ribs, beef stew, venison, charcuterie. Asian: Korean BBQ (galbi/bulgogi), Sichuan beef, char siu, Chinese red-braised pork belly, Japanese yakiniku/teriyaki beef.

Production Method
Hand-harvested Swartland fruit; cooled, fermented in tulip-shaped concrete tanks with ~40% whole-bunch and spontaneous yeast; gentle délestage; basket-pressed to large Austrian foudre and 600L demi-muids; aged ~12–18 months.

Vineyard Info
Boekenhoutskloof (revitalised 1993) is a Franschhoek estate led by Marc Kent, famed for The Chocolate Block. Syrah fruit (Porseleinberg, Goldmine) comes from Swartland schist soils; estate focuses on minimal intervention and terroir-driven wines.