High Hopes, Syrah, 2021

An 86% Syrah, 10% Grenache Noir and 4% Cinsault blend, High Hopes is a new addition to the range in 2021 and is produced exclusively from Swartland fruit. The Syrah comes from a low-yielding schist-rich site, which he shares with Donovan Rall, bringing a wash of deep fruit and almost Mediterranean vibes to perfumed, iron-rich granitic parcels of Grenache and Cinsault. The Syrah saw 30% whole bunches in the fermentation, the rest were destemmed. Blending took place after ten months – the Syrah in 500L used cask and the Grenache and Cinsault in used barriques, the final wine amounting to just 12.5% alcohol. Tense, smart and wonderfully cohesive, this is certainly an age worthy blend.