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Lelie van Saron

2021

Syrah

Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley - South Africa
Shelf Talker Spec Sheet Wine Label Bottle Image

About

Natasha’s Syrah is a beautiful example of cooler climate Syrah from South Africa. Now in its fifth vintage, the fruit comes from Hermanus at the foothills of the Babylonstoren Mountains just 3 miles from the Atlantic ocean. The vines sit at about 625-650 ft. above sea level in an east-west row orientation on a southwest facing slope. Clonal selection is really important here, with a focus on smaller berries and more compact bunches.

The grapes were hand-harvested and placed in an open top stainless-steel tanks with roughly 40% of the bunches left intact and the rest being destemmed but not crushed, placed atop the whole-clusters. Occasional foot stomping and a few light pumpovers got the fermentation going and after two weeks the wine went dry. The wine stayed on skins for an additional two weeks prior to being basket pressed to a single old French tonneau and demi-muid. After 12 months of aging with a small addition of sulfur in the spring, the wine was bottled with a gentle fining and coarse sheet filtration for stability. The wine aged in bottle for an additional two years before being released.

Stats

  • Grapes: 100% Syrah
  • Vineyard: Hermanus
  • Vine Age: 11-15-years-old
  • Soil Type: Decomposed granite
  • Viticulture: Sustainable
  • Fermentation: Native – stainless-steel (40% whole-cluster/60% whole-berry)
  • Skin Contact: 4 weeks
  • Aging: 12 months in a single neutral French 300L tonneau and 500L demi-muid
  • Alcohol: 13%
  • pH: 3.39
  • Total Acidity: 5.8 g/L
  • Total SO2: 86 ppm
  • Total Production: 192 cases
  • UPC: 6009820030482

Tasting Note

Bold and sultry. Black cherry, cassis, violets, and rose petals pull you in, while the herbs and cracked pepper sneak up on you. With a silky grip, this has layers for days. Beautifully finessed and food-friendly.

Press & Reviews

Tim Atkin MW

92

"'I could taste white pepper in the grapes,' says Natasha Williams of this serious, refreshing, cooler climate style of Syrah. Fermented with 40% whole clusters, it has sweet patisserie spice oak, savoury tannins, bramble and red berry fruit and a meaty, ferrous finish. 2024-29"

- Tim Atkin MW
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Producer


Lelie van Saron

Region


Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

Country


South Africa

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