PORSELEINBERG SYRAH

The 2022 Porseleinberg was macerated with about 70% submerged cap and 30% pump-over. It was matured 85% in foudres and 15% in concrete vats for 12 months, then an additional six months in bottle. It presents a deep ruby color. The bouquet takes time to open in the glass, revealing blackberry and touches of cassis, crushed violets and a judicious dash of balsamic. There’s wonderful delineation, but it opens very, very slowly. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, more structured than the 2021. White-pepper-tinged red fruit mixes with subtle menthol notes on the peacock's tail of a finish. Winemaker Callie Louwe describes this as a mixture of old and recent Porseleinberg, and I can see that. It’s a spellbinding Syrah that will require five or six years in bottle, but it will certainly be worth the wait. Drinking range: 2030 - 2055 Rating: 96 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Sept 2024)

This is wild and savory, full of green-olive, rosemary, iron and brambleberry aromas. Then super silky and elegant on the medium-bodied palate with lightly peppery, fine tannins. Salty and herbal freshness throughout. A little less concentrated than the 2021, very fresh and already drinkable, but classy and full of character nonetheless from a difficult vintage. Drink or hold. Rating: 95 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Nov 2024)