Syrah

Lamb Shawarma or Gyros, brined and grilled eggplant.

The post-2019 harvest was hot and dry, with below-average rainfall (355mm). The vineyards experienced some relief with good rain in October and December and an inch recorded in January, saving the vintage. Sufficient moisture in the soil during flowering and fruit set resulted in bigger bunches and berries. The growing conditions were clean, with a minor threat of downy mildew during an unusually wet December. The 2020 Porseleinberg harvest was one of the quickest and earliest to date. After the January rainfall, warm sunny conditions contributed to healthy, strong canopies, which aided in early Véraison and berry ripening. We started picking on 5th February and finished by the 19th.

Maturation took place over 12 months in 90% foudre & 10% concrete egg. Bottled mid-July 2021.

Grapes were hand-picked and crushed as whole bunches into concrete fermentation tanks with the cap submerged. Minimal pump-overs were performed with the submerged cap, and the ferments ran cool and dry within ten days.

The name is derived from the Swartland's Porselein (Porcelain) mountains Boekenhoutskloof acquired the farm in 2009 and is managing a major planting programme based on organic even biodynamic principles. Most of the grapes are delivered to Boekenhoutskloof but winemaker Callie Louw crafts one exquisite wine from the older vines.