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Boschkloof

2020

‘Epilogue’

Syrah   |   Stellenbosch - South Africa
Shelf Talker Spec Sheet Wine Label Bottle Image

About

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. Tim Atkin, MW called the 2017 his ‘wine of the year’ and awarded the 2020 98 points. 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 30% being left intact for fermentation. The majority of the lot was whole-bunch pressed to open top tanks though one-third was fermented entirely whole-cluster in stainless-steel. Fermentation occurred with both spontaneous and house cultured yeasts. Post-fermentation 66% was matured in concrete tanks and the remainder was sent to new 400L French oak barrels for 14-16 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 and another small addition of sulfur.

Stats

  • Grapes: 100% Syrah – clone SH99
  • Vineyard: Boschkloof Estate
  • Vine Age: 26-years-old
  • Soil Type: Decomposed granite over ironstone
  • Viticulture: Practicing Organic
  • Fermentation: Native & inoculated with house-cultured yeasts – open-top stainless-steel tank (30% whole-cluster)
  • Skin Contact: 14 days
  • Aging: 14-16 months – 66% in concrete - 34% in new French 400L puncheons
  • Alcohol: 13.5%
  • pH: 3.61
  • Total Acidity: 5.4 g/L
  • Total SO2: 89 ppm
  • Total Production: 292 cases
  • UPC: 6008409000144

Tasting Note

The perfect combination of power and poise. The 2020 vintage is more elegant than the muscular 2017, but perhaps slightly more integrated than the lean 2018. This is first rate Syrah, with a deep and complex nose redolent of dried herbs before dark berries, anise, vanilla, earth and black pepper. Slightly more new oak than previous vintages, but very skillfully integrated. The palate is superbly long, with flexible tannins and a savory finish. Jaw-dropping stuff here.

Press & Reviews

Tim Atkin, MW

98

"I make Epilogue with eight different components, like building blocks," says Reenen Borman of this stunning, world-class Syrah. Hailing from a 1.5-hectare Polkadraai Hills' block on decomposed granite, this is scented, plush and intense, with blackberry, fennel and wild thyme flavours, plenty of structure, adroitly integrated 34% new oak and remarkable freshness and palate length. Shows the elegance of the 2020 vintage. 2023-32."

- Tim Atkin, MW

The WineMag

96

"30% whole-bunch, two-third fermented and matured for some 14 – 16 months in cement, one-third in 400-litre barrels, all new. Genteel aromatics of red and black berries plus violets, subtle notes of dried herbs, cinnamon and white pepper. The palate is precise and detailed – the wine is medium bodied but there is a certain succulence to the fruit and good freshness, while the tannins are wonderfully fine-grained, making for a texture that is smooth, almost creamy. Precise and detailed, this has a finesse that is a result of exacting craftsmanship. A modest 13.5% in alcohol, it’s nevertheless not insubstantial or lacking in intensity."

- Christian Eedes
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Producer


Boschkloof

Region


Stellenbosch

Country


South Africa

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