2017

‘Reserve’

Syrah | Elim - South Africa

Shelf Talker Spec Sheet Wine Label Bottle Image

About

2011 marked Trizanne’s venture into Elim but it was only with Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon at the time. Fast forward a couple of years and she was intrigued by the Syrah down there as a yang to the Swartland’s yin completing her Syrah journey (at the time – pre-Sondagskloof). Elim allowed for Trizanne to really explore the perfumed and delicate aromas of Syrah rather than the more fruit-driven and powerful characteristics she had been working with in Swartland. The fruit for this vintage comes from three distinct sites, each from a different clone and on varying soils ranging from shale, gravel and ferricrete.

The fruit was entirely hand-harvested and destemmed. Fermentations occurred outdoors in one-ton open top stainless-steel fermenters. Daily punchdowns were used for extraction and after ten days the wine was dry. It then spent another five days post-ferment on the skins. The wine was basket-pressed to old French barriques where the wine aged with frequent topping and one sulfur addition. After 11 months the barrels were racked to tank and settled, then bottled without fining or filtration and just another light sulfur addition.

Stats

Grapes: 100% Syrah
Vineyard: 40% Berrio Vineyards - 30% Zoetendal Farm - 30% Black Oyster Farm
Vine Age: 10-20-years-old
Soil Type: Varied: Primarily shale, gravel and ferricrete
Viticulture: Sustainable – dry-farmed
Fermentation: Native – open top in stainless steel fermenters (100% destemmed)
Skin Contact: 15 days
Aging: 11 months in old 225L French barriques
pH: 3.54
Total Acidity: 5.5 g/L
Total SO2: 81 ppm
Total Production: 550 cases

Tasting Note

Light garnet. Aromas of wild strawberries, cranberries, hints of pomegranate and crushed rose petals intertwine with the slightest hint of mocha. The palate is medium-bodied with a slight saline note, bright acidity, with energetic drive and tension leading to the svelte, soft tannic finish. This is a superb, sophisticated and nuanced Syrah that will age with style.

Press & Reviews

Platter's Guide

93

"Precise 2017, pure black & red fruits, fine peppery aromatics & Elim’s cool-climate finesse all given a place in the spotlight by minimal-intervention, old-oak maturation. Like 2016 (5 stars, 95 pts), truly lovely now but will reward cellaring."
- Cathy Van Zyl

Vinous

91

"The 2017 Reserve Syrah was matured in used French oak for 11 months. It has a reserved, quite floral bouquet, pressed rose petals infusing the red berry and brown spice aromas. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity and quite elegant in style, revealing hints of cola and sage toward the sustained finish. Very fine. I would actually savor this in its flush of youth rather than age."
- Neal Martin

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