TASTING: SWARTLAND SYRAH

QUE SYRAH SYRAH

SHIRAZ – OR SYRAH AS IT’S SOMETIMES CALLED – IS A RICH, SPICY WINE WHICH IS MADE FOR SOUTH AFRICAN WINTER ENJOYMENT. A CHEERS TASTING PANEL PUT A CROSS SECTION OF THE SWARTLAND’S PRODUCERS’ WINES TO THE TEST.

The popularity of Shiraz has exploded! Just 20 years ago there were 107 Shiraz listed in the index of the Platter Guide in total. The 2020 edition of the same guide details 18 wines rated 5 Stars, 131 at 4½ and a further 174 at 4 Stars, making a whopping 373 wines considered excellent. There are around the same number of wines coming in below that threshold.

Shiraz is a grape most commonly associated with France’s Rhône valley ... and it’s where so many of the Swartland winemakers take their inspiration from. The dry, warm area with Malmesbury and Riebeek Kasteel at its centre is best

known for its rolling wheat fields and sheep pastures but it’s also where some of the country’s most exciting Shiraz are made.

The real rock star wines, the Porseleinberg and Mullineux Iron, Schist and Gravel examples weren’t available for tasting at short notice but we rounded up a representative sampling of what the proverbial man-in-the-street could easily find in retail.

Tasting panel: Fiona McDonald, Dr Winnie Bowman CWM, Maryna Calow, Dee Griffin and Sam Robertson

RIEBEEK CELLARS SHIRAZ 2018 Ripe squishy black fruit – plum and cherry with a light fynbos and dried herb edge. Lovely juiciness and approachability with ample light-bodied appeal. Winnie found it dusty, a character that Maryna noted as white pepper.

STONEDANCE

SHIRAZ 2018 Sour plum succulence with a light lavender overlay. Energetic and lively while mediumbodied and likeable. So easy to drink! Dee and Sam found it bright and appealing,

Maryna liked its length and Winnie appreciated the rich dark chocolate depth on the palate.

KLOOF STREET SWARTLAND ROUGE 2018 The ringer in the line-up because it’s a Shiraz-based blend. Equal parts of Shiraz and Tinta Barocca (44%) are blended with Grenache (7%) Cinsaut (4%) and Carignan (1%). Juicy red and black berry fruit on the palate but a noticeable subtle grip. There is a genteel light spice and plush, soft ripeness with a long, rich finish. Substantial. “It’s a stand out,” said Maryna. “Noticeably different,” was Dee’s opinion and Winnie liked the subtlety of the spice as well as its delicious succulence.

SWARTLAND BUSH VINE SYRAH 2017 Dusty leather, dried herb and black cherry flavour reminiscent of “Old School” Shiraz. Tangy with cracked pepper and inky notes. Acid tang is noticeable. “Liquorice and cloves,” said Maryna while Winnie found it a touch ponderous and four-square.

LAMMERSHOEK THE INNOCENT

SYRAH 2018

Appealing blueberry, mocha, vanilla aromas with bright blue and black berry fruit on the palate. The vibrancy of this wine is balanced by a deeper, earthy nuance with some liquorice flavour. Rewarding and long.

“Quite perfumed,” Sam said, while Dee and Winnie liked the mulberry, pepper and the lightbodied freshness.

BABYLON’S PEAK SHIRAZ CARIGNAN 2019 Another ringer in that it’s a blend of Shiraz and Carignan – so it also stood out. Deep cocoa, choc aromas and flavours with rich black and blue berry fruit notes. Lots of spice Fiona said, with Christmas cake elements. Very approachable with the oak well handled.

ORG DE RAC SHIRAZ 2017 Deep meaty, spicy palate with wood shavings and oak prominent on nose too. The oak is prominent but plays well with the plum, prune and dried herb flavours. Good balance and length. Muscular and powerful presence with a lingering aftertaste. Maryna noted the herbaceousness of the wine. “Definite fynbos and the wine is also quite tannic.” Recommended as accompaniment for a hearty, meat-based meal.

ALLESVERLOREN SHIRAZ 2017

Light powdery nose gives way to supple, juicy ripe black fruit – plums and fynbos. Textured, smooth and approachable. Long tail. Winne liked the brightness of the wine while Maryna said the fruit was a touch ripe, heading into the dried fruit spectrum in her opinion. “Some Christmas cake and raisin notes,” she said.

TSW SWARTLAND SYRAH 2017 Soft textured, genteel entry but complex and structured albeit in an understated way. Nothing is in your face. It’s subtle. Light blue fruit and plums, dried herbs and a light powdery violet or floral note. Powerful but restrained in its elegance and length. “Not typical of the Swartland,” said Winnie. Good intensity but lighter in style with salty/liquorice edge to the palate.

fusions fresh flavour

Add a splash of spectacular to your next sundowner with SPAR’s new Tonic Waters. Crafted to embrace your choice of alcohol with subtle and refreshing flavours and aromas, SPAR Tonic Waters offer a great tasting product at an affordable price. With the classic Indian and enchanting Rose and Cucumber variants available in 1 L bottles, you can get creative with your next sparkling cocktail.

Lime & Ginger Whisky Tonic

INGREDIENTS:

• SPAR Indian Tonic Water • Limes • Whisky • Slices of peeled ginger • Ice

PREPARATION:

• Add ginger and two slices of lime to a shaker and muddle until fragrant.

• Add whisky and a squeeze of lime juice to the shaker. Add ice to above the level of the liquid. Shake for 5 seconds.

• Strain into a glass filled with ice.

• Top with SPAR Indian Tonic Water, and garnish with lime slices.