2020 DAMASCENE Syrah Swartland, Lea & Sandeman

DAMASCENE

2020 Syrah Swartland

Grapes Syrah
Colour Red
Origin South Africa, Swartland
Village Swartland
ABV 13%

13% alcohol. Sourced from schist and granitic soils on slopes. Taut aromatics with bright cherry and raspberry fruit with some notes of meat, tar and pepper. The palate is bright and focused with sweet cherry and berry fruits allied to savoury notes of red pepper, spice, and some grainy grip, as well as some saline hints. There’s a hint of orange peel and lime here, adding brightness, as well as compact red fruits. Lots of potential for future development, and not all that common to find this level of brightness from the Swartland, finishing with iodine and a slight salinity. 95/100 (JG) Rating: 95 Jamie Goode, www.wineanorak.com (Sept 2023)


Alternatively, we may well have some bottles in one of our shops - why not give us a call on 0207 244 0522 or send an email to: sales@leaandsandeman.co.uk.

Or, check the RELATED PRODUCTS below for different vintages or wines of a similar style.


This wonderful Swartland Syrah combines grapes from schist, shale and granite soils, so is a very complete expression of the region. Elegant, pure and perfumed, it has alluring aromas of laurel and bacon fat, lots of clove and pepper spice from 75% whole bunches, graceful tannins and a bright, energetic finish. Drinking range: 2023 - 2030 Rating: 95 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Sept 2022)

The 2020 Syrah Swartland comes from three sites and sees 50% to 70% whole cluster fermented. It is clearly the most intense of the three Syrahs from Damascene with powerful black fruit, warm slate, hints of garrigues and lavender. The palate is beautifully balanced with firm tannins, very good backbone matched by a fine bead of acidity. Good grip and intensity, cracked black pepper on the long finish…what more do you want? Drinking range: 2024 - 2042 Rating: 95 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Aug 2022)

The purity, perfume and spice of granite-grown fruit is complemented by the more earthy tones of grapes harvested from shale and schist outcrops, imbuing the wine with structure and depth. Incense, allspice, turned earth, dark and loamy, black tea, and meat spice simmer against a juicy backdrop of blackberries. The palate is nuanced and persistent. Expressive, generous, savoury hits of black olive tapenade spread across the supple, fruity palate. Excellent concentration of flavour from the extremely low-yielding sites, with firm, ripe tannins lead to a subtly smoky 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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