Select another wine

Lelie van Saron

2020

Syrah

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

About

In its fourth release, the DeBos Vineyard is again the source of fruit for this wine, located on the north side of the dam for which it is named at the base of the Babylonstoren Mountains. The small block that makes this wine is a south/southwest facing slope at roughly 400-550 feet in elevation with the vines planted between fields of fynbos and in very close proximity to the sea. The Syrah block sits just below the Chardonnay block and has more of a sandy, granitic soil with rocky outcrops of pure granite.

The three clones were selected based on stem ripeness, fruit quality and bunch size. 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 week 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.

Stats

  • Grapes: 100% Syrah
  • Vineyard: DeBos Vineyard
  • Vine Age: 13-17-years-old
  • Soil Type: Weathered granite
  • Viticulture: Sustainable (no herbicides or pesticides) – dry-farmed
  • Fermentation: Native – stainless-steel (40% whole-cluster/60% whole-berry)
  • Skin Contact: 3 weeks
  • Aging: 12 months in a single neutral French 300L tonneau and 500L demi-muid
  • Alcohol: 14.2%
  • pH: 3.5
  • Total Acidity: 5.5 g/L
  • Total SO2: 89 ppm
  • Total Production: 217 cases
  • UPC: 6009820030482

Tasting Note

Seductive. Marvelous profusion of flavors & aromas, from cassis & black cherries through violets & rose petals to herbs & pepper, encased in a fine tannin lattice. Outstanding complexity & structure at moderate alcohol.

Press & Reviews

Tim Atkin, MW

93

"I love Syrah," says Natasha Williams, and it shows in the quality of her new release from a single vineyard in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Fermented with 40% whole clusters, it has pepper, violet and clove aromas, red cherry and tangerine flavours, stylish oak and a focused, racy, tapering finish. 2023-28."

- Tim Atkin, MW

Platter's Guide

91

"Charming, distinctive 2020 strikes fine balance between power & finesse, showing succulent black fruit & plum pudding, with subtle scrub scents & velvet tannins. 40% wholebunch, wild yeast ferment, year in older barrels."

- Greg de Bruyn

Wine Advocate

92+

"Bursting with purple flowers, spiced plums and blackberry skin, the 2020 Syrah displays soft elements of salami with notions of black raspberry and wild herbs. Medium-bodied, with firm tannins and succulent acidity, this gorgeous Syrah dances across the palate before tightening up. It is age-worthy and food friendly, uncoiling in the glass as it glides to a long, spicy finish with persistent flavors of white peppercorn and black cherry skin. Bravo!"

- Anthony Mueller
Select a wine

Producer


Lelie van Saron

Region


Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

Country


South Africa

Have a question or want to drop a line?

Contact Us