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Boschkloof

2021

‘Epilogue’

Syrah   |   Stellenbosch - South Africa
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About

The 2021 ‘Epilogue’ Syrah was the only wine to earn 100 points in the 2023 Tim Atkin, MW South Africa Special Report, and it was the 2023 Overall Red Wine of the Year. The ‘Epilogue’ block was planted in 1996 by Jacques Borman following his tremendous success at La Motte in the 1980s and early 1990s. The early results were impressive, but Reenen has really taken this wine to another level. The Borman’s flagship wine was going to be ‘Conclusion’, the Bordeaux-style blend but it was Reenen felt Syrah was the grape that the family best grew and thought this was the next chapter, or epilogue. It was a vineyard that always asked for a little less in every area: less ripeness, less oak, less extraction, etc. The results are nearly unparalleled. This is some of the best wine you will find in the Cape, hands down, and really helps to explain why Boschkloof was named a First Growth producer by Tim Atkin.

The grapes were hand-harvested with 60% being left intact for fermentation. The grapes, both those de-stemmed and whole-cluster, were pressed to open top tanks. Fermentation occurred with both spontaneous and house cultured yeasts. Post-fermentation, 60% of the lot was matured in concrete tanks and the remainder was sent to new 400L French oak barrels for 14 months. The wine aged on the fine lees with one small sulfur addition in the winter and was bottled without fining and just a light sheet filtration.

Stats

  • Grapes: 100% Syrah – clone SH99
  • Vineyard: Boschkloof Estate
  • Vine Age: 27-years-old
  • Soil Type: Decomposed granite over ironstone
  • Viticulture: Practicing Organic
  • Fermentation: Native & inoculated with house-cultured yeasts – open-top stainless-steel tank (60% whole-cluster)
  • Skin Contact: 12 days
  • Aging: 14 months (60% concrete - 40% new French 400L puncheons)
  • Alcohol: 13.5%
  • pH: 3.62
  • Total Acidity: 5.2 g/L
  • Total SO2: 69 ppm
  • Total Production: 333 cases
  • UPC: 6008409000144

Tasting Note

Reenen says the 2021 vintage is “the best Syrah he’s ever made.” We couldn’t agree more. This is a singular Syrah with rare power and poise. The nose is brooding, intense, with violets, blackberries and light wood at the forefront. The palate opens to reveal a savory olive character, subtly sweet licorice, and a black pepper spiciness. This wine will age easily for a decade or more. Jaw-dropping and nearing perfection.

 

Press & Reviews

Tim Atkin, MW

100

"I was lucky enough to taste this wine from tank, some time before it was bottled, so I had some idea of how special it is. But the finished result managed to surpass even my high expectations. This is one of the Cape's greatest ever wines, a Syrah that will easily age for another decade or more. Very lightly wooded - two-thirds are aged in concrete - with 60% whole bunches, it has effortless concentration, brooding, granitic intensity and focus, violet and liquorice top notes and flavours of blackberry, tapenade and orange zest. 'The best Syrah I've made,' says Reenen Borman. It sure is. 2025-35"

- Tim Atkin, MW

The WineMag

98

"From a single vineyard approaching 30 years of age planted to SH99 on granite. 65% in concrete (this portion entirely whole-bunch fermented), 35% in new oak and 5% in older oak. The nose is beguiling with notes of black berries, olive, herbs, lavender, sage and pepper while the palate is vivid and vital – great fruit concentration, bright acidity and firm but fine-grained tannins. Pure and precise – has a real succulence about it without any trace of sweetness. The intricacy of flavour and structure is captivating, the wine still tightly coiled – almost impossible to resist now but should drink magnificently from 2025 to 2029. The best vintage of this rightfully acclaimed wine yet."

- Christian Eedes
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Producer


Boschkloof

Region


Stellenbosch

Country


South Africa

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