DAMASCENE
2021 Syrah Swartland
| Grapes | Syrah |
| Colour | Red |
| Origin | South Africa, Swartland |
| Village | Swartland |
| ABV | 13% |
Right up there with the very best 2021 Syrahs from the Swartland on the market, this is a monumental achievement from Jean Smit. Fermented with 75% stems, it's a style with alluring aromas of wild herbs and sweet spices, a dense, layered palate of fig and blackberry, notes of iron and fresh blood, lots of energy, grip and minerality and a finish that tarries on the palate. World class. Drinking range: 2025 - 2035 Rating: 98 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Sept 2023)
| 12 | ||
*Case price discount: Mix any 12 bottles of wine (or 9 litre equivalent) or 6 bottles of Champagne, Spirits, Sweet Wine or Fortified (4.5 litres) to get the discounted 'case price' for each bottle.
Expressing a refined floral essence, the 2021 Swartland Syrah offers a layered nose with savory spices and dark red fruit tones. More savory than the Stellenbosch Syrah, the Swartland Syrah has a delightful mineral tension and medium-bodied expression that offers fine-grained tannins across the savory finish. I can see this being better in time; be patient. Rating: 94 Anthony Mueller, The Wine Advocate (Jan 2024)
70% comes from the Kasteelberg facing east, with schist/shale soils. 25% comes from granitic soils which gives perfume, and the remaining 5% is from ferricrete. Submerged cap on schist and ferricrete to soften tannins. So fresh, peppery and expressive with lovely bright fruit. Elegant and expressive. 94/100 (JG) Rating: 94 Jamie Goode, www.wineanorak.com (Sept 2023)
Grapes from various Swartland sites featuring shale, schist, granite and ferricrete soils. 75% whole-bunch fermentation. Lavender, dark berries, olive, pepper and spice on the nose while the palate is wonderfully direct – lovely fruit purity and a great line of acidity before a finish that is long and very dry. Rating: 96 www.winemag.co.za (Oct 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.
- For full delivery details see our Delivery page.
- We offer free nationwide* delivery for all orders over £150 with our own vans. We also offer an express delivery service for an additional charge.
- Order & Collect from any of our 5 London shops. Order by Midnight for collection the next working day from 11am.
- Private wine storage: we offer a full In Bond and Duty Paid private wine storage service - find out more here.
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