Clonal selection elgin syrah
structural elegance with freshness and a cooling mid-palate
100% Syrah made up of clones SH9c & SH22.
Mid cherry red, the nose exudes raspberry, black plum, green pepper and hints of lavender. A supple entry, structural elegance with freshness and a cooling mid-palate where the tannins appear seamless yet still firm and the acid supportive but not too lively. This is a polished wine already brim-full of fruit, classic black pepper and sweet spices. A real depth of flavour with a dry, smooth extended finish will reward those who cellar this vintage for the next 5-8 years.
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Selected from 5 small parcels of Syrah.
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This Syrah went through a 17-month maturation. No finings were necessary, and the wine was simply racked and bottled unfiltered.
A small number of artisanal coopers were selected from Burgundy and Rhone, with only French oak chosen. Importantly, each clone and soil type were micro-vinified as separate batches. Each batch used an algorithm that we have developed to ascertain which coopers work best and how many new and used barrels are utilised. Overall, the average in 2018 was 45.4% new oak with 47% in 228 l; 38% 500 l, and 15% breathable eggs.
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Alcohol: 13.28% | pH: 3.4 | RS: 2.4 g/l
R625
per 750ml
accolades
Platter's Wine Guide 2022
4.5 Stars
93 points
Proper cool-climate Syrah, medium body with appropriate freshness. 2018 white spice & red fruit purity, gently fleshed palate & smoothly polished tannins.
-Angela Lloyd, Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2022
neal martin
94/100
Jancis Robinson
17.5/20
Mid garnet. Both rich and savoury on the nose. Quite a tightrope walked with aplomb! Really complete. Long and polished with some transparency. It's fuller than a Côte Rôtie but much more elegant than most New World Syrahs. This throbs on the palate! Really neat and well balanced with a dry finish but no shortage of refined fruit. Really bright-fruited and its own style. Silky texture. Well done! 2021-2028.
-Jancis Robinson MW, www.jancisrobinson.com
Tim atkin
93/100
Richard Kershaw uses three Syrah clones (SH9C, 22 and 29) to produce this pan-Elgin cuvée.
Entirely destemmed, it has classic white pepper scents, with a hint of lavender, lots of spice and tapenade tangy acidity and impressive underlying concentration. 2022-27.
-Tim Atkin MW, South Africa Report 2021
The 2018 Syrah Clonal Selection Elgin is quite closed on the nose and needs a bit of coaxing to offer up its blackberry, briar, wild strawberry, clove and light gamy aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with silky-smooth tannins and pure red fruit (strawberry and red cherries), leading to a harmonious, black-pepper-infused finish. This is one of Kershaw’s most sensual bottlings.
- Neal Martin for Vinous, November 2021
