The Porseleinberg Swartland is one of the greatest Syrah's made outside of the Northern Rhone and has even been compared to Jamet's Cote Rotie by Tim Atkin and Neil Martin, which is a massive compliment. We have the new release of the Porseleinberg today, which is another riveting example from this talented and passionate South African team.
One of the gems of South Africa, the Syrah here is something to behold, and Porseleinberg is the best example on the entire cape. A project initially created by South African wine pioneer Marc Kent when he was looking to source some Rhone varietals for two of his wine labels. He came across Swartland, which is on the western cape of South Africa, and seeing the potential in this terroir, purchased a 173-acre estate on top of Porseleinberg Mountain. Wasting no time, the farm was replanted to Syrah with a bit of Grenache, and Callie Louw, who was practicing organic viticulture at another South African winery, was appointed winemaker. Callie has a more traditional approach to winemaking similar to what we see in the Northern Rhone, focusing on extensive vineyard work implementing organic and biodynamic principles while having a more hands-off approach in the cellar with an old-school 100% whole cluster fermentation. As we have said before, this is about as good as Syrah gets. 2020 is another massive success for this South African superstar address, making another awe-inspiring rendition that runs with the big dogs of Cote-Rotie and Hermitage at a fraction of the pricing. This is a wine that needs to be considered when looking at the best Syrah in the world, and 2020 is another brilliant version that once again reminds Neil Martin of Jamet (2020 Jamet Cote-Rotie received the same 97-point score from Vinous and is $200+ a bottle). Incredibly detailed and complex with a bit more power this year but so seamless and poised, this is magnificent and proves once again that the quality of this estate is no fluke. Two huge notes below, we currently have the only bottles of this new release available in the USA, and it is not to be missed.
Tim Atkin 98 points! “We pick the vintage,” says Callie Louw, whose 2020 Porseleinberg is the second lightest in alcohol he’s ever made at 13.6%. Fermented with 100% whole bunches using the submerged cap technique that transformed the wine in 2018, this is another scented, seamless stunner from Callie Louw. Aged in large foudres and 5% concrete eggs, it’s a spicy, sappy, hauntingly elegant Syrah from a brutal site, with kelp, rose petal and fynbos aromas, juicy bramble and red berry fruit, fine tannins and a wonderful sense of energy.”
Vinous (Neal Martin) 97 points! “The 2020 Porseleinberg is aged for 12 months in foudres, blended in concrete and then aged 16 months in bottle. It is very fragrant on the nose with black fruit, white pepper, fennel and hints of lavender, not unlike a mature Jamet in style. The palate is medium-bodied with a light and peppery entry, beautifully proportioned with fine tannins. Old World in style, very focused, it gently builds momentum to a bewitchingly complex Porseleinberg that will give 20-30 years drinking pleasure. Divine.
2020 Porseleinberg Swartland Eta End of March 2023
2020 Porseleinberg Swartland Eta End of March 2023
$69.99
$69.99
The Porseleinberg Swartland is one of the greatest Syrah's made outside of the Northern Rhone and has even been compared to Jamet's Cote Rotie by Tim Atkin and Neil Martin, which is a massive compliment. We have the new release of the Porseleinberg today, which is another riveting example from this talented and passionate South African team.
One of the gems of South Africa, the Syrah here is something to behold, and Porseleinberg is the best example on the entire cape. A project initially created by South African wine pioneer Marc Kent when he was looking to source some Rhone varietals for two of his wine labels. He came across Swartland, which is on the western cape of South Africa, and seeing the potential in this terroir, purchased a 173-acre estate on top of Porseleinberg Mountain. Wasting no time, the farm was replanted to Syrah with a bit of Grenache, and Callie Louw, who was practicing organic viticulture at another South African winery, was appointed winemaker. Callie has a more traditional approach to winemaking similar to what we see in the Northern Rhone, focusing on extensive vineyard work implementing organic and biodynamic principles while having a more hands-off approach in the cellar with an old-school 100% whole cluster fermentation. As we have said before, this is about as good as Syrah gets. 2020 is another massive success for this South African superstar address, making another awe-inspiring rendition that runs with the big dogs of Cote-Rotie and Hermitage at a fraction of the pricing. This is a wine that needs to be considered when looking at the best Syrah in the world, and 2020 is another brilliant version that once again reminds Neil Martin of Jamet (2020 Jamet Cote-Rotie received the same 97-point score from Vinous and is $200+ a bottle). Incredibly detailed and complex with a bit more power this year but so seamless and poised, this is magnificent and proves once again that the quality of this estate is no fluke. Two huge notes below, we currently have the only bottles of this new release available in the USA, and it is not to be missed.
Tim Atkin 98 points! “We pick the vintage,” says Callie Louw, whose 2020 Porseleinberg is the second lightest in alcohol he’s ever made at 13.6%. Fermented with 100% whole bunches using the submerged cap technique that transformed the wine in 2018, this is another scented, seamless stunner from Callie Louw. Aged in large foudres and 5% concrete eggs, it’s a spicy, sappy, hauntingly elegant Syrah from a brutal site, with kelp, rose petal and fynbos aromas, juicy bramble and red berry fruit, fine tannins and a wonderful sense of energy.”
Vinous (Neal Martin) 97 points! “The 2020 Porseleinberg is aged for 12 months in foudres, blended in concrete and then aged 16 months in bottle. It is very fragrant on the nose with black fruit, white pepper, fennel and hints of lavender, not unlike a mature Jamet in style. The palate is medium-bodied with a light and peppery entry, beautifully proportioned with fine tannins. Old World in style, very focused, it gently builds momentum to a bewitchingly complex Porseleinberg that will give 20-30 years drinking pleasure. Divine.
