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Wolf & Woman

2024

Syrah

Swartland - South Africa
Shelf Talker Spec Sheet Wine Label Bottle Image

About

Jolandie is a huge Northern Rhône fan, and while she’s not trying to replicate it, she also felt like she couldn’t not make Syrah in the Swartland. The 2024 vintage is a blend of two regions: 90% from Malmesbury on red, iron-rich soils, and 10% from Riebeekberg on schist. The iron component provides all the aromatics with a denser tannin and the schist component provide structure, concentration and grippy tannin. Jolandie calls 2024 “a light crop with a loud voice.” Despite an above-average rainfall in the winter of 2023, the dryland vineyards had to dig deep once summer arrived. From November onward, warm and dry conditions took center stage, leaving a lighter crop, but one that was beautifully healthy.

All of the vineyards were picked separately in crates and transported to the cellar where they spent three days cold soaking. The following day, bunch sorting took place before the grapes went to open-top fermenters. This vintage was 80% whole cluster, 20% crush and de-stem. The wine spent 16 days on the skins before being lightly pressed to old, 300-500-L oak barrels for 10 months. After this period, the wines were racked, blended, and bottled without fining and with a coarse filtration and just a small addition of sulfur.

Stats

  • Grapes: 100% Syrah
  • Vineyard: 90% Malmesbury - 10% Riebeekberg
  • Vine Age: Average: 27-years-old
  • Soil Type: Red, iron-rich soils (Malmesbury) - Schist (Riebeekberg)
  • Viticulture: Sustainable – dry-farmed
  • Fermentation: Native yeast – open-top fermenter (80% whole-cluster)
  • Skin Contact: 16 days
  • Aging: 10 months in 300-500L seasoned oak barrels
  • Alcohol: 13.4%
  • pH: 3.6
  • Total Acidity: 5.5 g/L
  • Total SO2: 70 ppm
  • Total Production: 250 cases
  • UPC: 658325084610
  • SRP: $34.99

Tasting Note

Once again, a beautifully aromatic Syrah. It shows a racy blend of spice, florals, and berries on the nose, then a juicy palate with a hint of pepper, wrapped in silky tannins. This is a bottle to savor.

Press & Reviews

The WineMag

92

"90% of grapes on iron-rich soils northwest of Malmesbury, 10% on Riebeekberg schist. 80% whole-bunch fermentation. Matured for 10 months in old oak. The nose is restrained, opening with a touch of smoky reduction before revealing notes of red and black berries, olive, earth and spice. The palate is rich and flavourful, with lots of mid-palate, moderate acidity and fine, powdery tannins. While not exactly luscious, it certainly offers depth, the finish dry and satisfying."

- Christian Eedes

Tim Atkin, MW

94

Ever the consummate blender, Jolandie Fouché makes this Syrah with a 90/10 combination of Malmesbury and Riebeekberg grapes, showcasing the contrasting contributions of iron and schist soils. Rich, dense and hauntingly perfumed, it has violet and wild thyme aromas, lots of ferrous intensity, sinewy tannins and texture and spice from 80% whole clusters."

- Tim Atkin MW
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Producer


Wolf & Woman

Region


Swartland

Country


South Africa

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