Swartland was characterised by extremely hot weather in the lead-up to harvest 2022 and you must wonder if this hasn’t had an impact on the resulting Syrah from Porseleinberg, a wine with an alcohol of 13.3% and said to have a pH of 4.1. Winemaking involved submerged cap maceration before maturation lasting 12 months, 85% in foudre and 15% in concrete. The aromatics are enticing enough with notes of red berries, pomegranate, orange, fynbos, cured meat and white pepper. The palate, however, has a slightly “soupy” quality – good fruit definition but a bit short of drive and tannic grip. Perhaps a vintage for completists rather than those new to the label, especially given its price tag of R800 a bottle.
