DAMASCENE

2020 Syrah Cederberg

Grapes Syrah
Colour Red
Origin South Africa, Western Cape
Village Cederberg
ABV 13.5%

Sourced from a vineyard planted at 940 metres in the Cederberg on sandstone and ferricrete soils. Bloody and ferrous, it's the densest and most compact of the Damascene Syrahs, with notes of lavender, scrub and fynbos, meaty intensity, some Asian spices from 45% whole bunches and lots of underlying grip. Drinking range: 2023 - 2030 Rating: 96 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Sept 2022)


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The 2020 Syrah Cederberg comes from a vineyard site 940m above sea level planted in 2006 with between 30% and 60% whole cluster fermented depending on the parcel. This has a more broody and introspective nose compared to its Stellenbosch counterpart, blackberry and touches of garrigues, yet bashful at the moment. The palate is very harmonious and silky smooth, red berry fruit laced with bay leaf, white pepper and thyme, a little more persistency on the finish than the Stellenbosch. Tender yet powerful. Drinking range: 2023 - 2040 Rating: 94 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Aug 2022)

A singularity. So expressive of its liminal site; a mountainous vineyard 940-metres above sea level. Floaty red fruit, sour cherry, cranberry; the sandalwood scent of scrub and fynbos, a glow of white pepper, iridescent and driven. Hands-off winemaking assures the austerity and lightness of being of the wine remains intact. The fresh red fruit continues on the palate, underscored by a riper touch of blackcurrant wrapped in a fine-boned structure. Clear, precise acidity conjures up the coolness of the site; the spice lingers long into the finish.Winemaker's notes (Feb 2022)

Damascene

Damascene is a seriously exciting new find for us in South Africa. Their maiden vintage here was 2018 and we were blown away by the results. 2019, their second vintage was sold out on release, read the press release HERE.

The highly acclaimed Jean Smit, previously winemaker at Boekenhoutskloof, has teamed up with David Curl, former owner of Bordeaux’s Chateau Gaby.

Their goal is to explore all across the South African winelands in search of exceptional sites. Sites that deliver an important moment of insight, and hence the name of the project. A Damascene moment of clarity, where we can all understand the greatness of these small, prized plots.

The vineyards are old and well established but small, so each of these brilliant wines is only released in very small quantities. We urge you to catch them while you can.

This wine isn't currently part of a mixed case, but you can always browse our full selection of mixed cases here.
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