South African Shiraz/Syrah: panel tasting results
A great success, with a high proportion of wines scoring 90pts or more – around the regions, a great range of styles showing character and value.
Greg Sherwood MW, Daniel Grigg and Roger Jones tasted 137 wines, with 11 Outstanding and 75 Highly Recommended.
South African Shiraz/Syrah panel tasting scores
137 wines tasted
Exceptional 0
Outstanding 11
Highly recommended 75
Recommended 45
Commended 5
Fair 0
Poor 0
Faulty 1
Entry criteria: producers and UK agents were invited to submit their latest vintage releases of still red wines made using a minimum of 85% Shiraz/Syrah
With striking examples being produced in almost every corner of the Cape at varied price points, Shiraz has to be one of the strongest weapons in South Africa’s armoury when taking on other New World competitors in wine.
In this impressive two-day panel tasting, the vast majority demonstrated what all three judges felt was the driving force behind the rise in both quality and global perception of South African wines in general.
Namely, the winemakers’ courage and determination to make the wines they want to make, rather than what is expected of them. Were this an Australian Shiraz tasting, for example, we questioned whether we would have been treated to such a plethora of wine styles.
Scroll down for the top-scoring South African Shiraz/Syrah
While producers seemed to use new oak to distract from a lack of substance in some wines, Daniel Grigg highlighted other wines where it was used to great effect, bestowing a sense of gravitas and enhancing the grape’s varietal identity and purity of fruit.
With South Africa having a climate closer to New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay than South Australia’s Barossa Valley, Roger Jones expected these Shirazes to reflect that Kiwi style, with lower alcohols and more subtle fruit profiles.
Regional variations played their part – both climate and terroir have an impact in South Africa – but Jones saw real restraint and a move to refinement across the board. For him it was the winemaker and/or vineyard management that made the biggest difference.
Looking at vintage variation, Jones felt that of the wines tasted, the 2019s performed best – perhaps unsurprisingly, with drought conditions affecting 2016 through to 2018. He singled out Stellenbosch as the most consistent: the 2019s being racy and bright, the 2018s still somewhat linear and restrained, and the 2017s more savoury and meaty.
Swartland’s 2019 reds are refined, elegant and need at least a decade more to showcase their great quality.
The 2019s from Paarl showed more chocolate and damson characters, while Robertson’s were dark fruited, plummy and rich.
Further south in Elgin and its surrounds, some perfumed, elegant, cool-climate precision was in evidence, while Franschhoek showcased nuances of liquorice and exotic spice.
It was also pleasing to see smaller regions such as Cederbeg making an impressive contribution.
See all 136 wines from the South African Shiraz/Syrah panel tasting
Prices are not disclosed to judges in Decanter panel tastings, but South Africa offers amazing value for Shiraz lovers. And not just for immediate enjoyment, either – many of these Cape classics will reward your patience following a decade in bottle.
Throughout this tasting we could sense the confidence of the winemaker. There were very few attempts to reproduce a wine in the style of a Barossa Shiraz or a northern Rhône Syrah. Instead, the wines were a true reflection of their South African terroir, a celebration of the country’s rich heritage of wine production and a promise of even better to come.
Top-scoring South African Shiraz/Syrah:
The judges
Greg Sherwood MW is the widely travelled senior buyer at Handford Wines. He publishes his Fine Wine Safari blog at gregsherwoodmw.com, and in 2021 was the DWWA Regional Chair for South Africa.
Daniel Grigg is managing director of merchant Museum Wines, winner of the South Africa Specialist category in the 2021 Decanter Retailer Awards.
Roger Jones is the retired former owner of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn restaurant in Wiltshire. He is now busy as a wine writer, judge and consultant, with a particular focus on the hospitality trade, as well as helping charities. He is a DWWA judge, including the South Africa category in 2021.
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Simonsig, Merindol Syrah, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2018
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Idun, Nuit Éternelle, Elgin, South Africa, 2019
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Kleine Zalze, Vineyard Selection Shiraz, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2018
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Lukas van Loggerenberg, Graft Syrah, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2020
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Pepper Street, Syrah, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2018
<p>Rudi Schultz comes from a family of respected winemakers. Launching his own winery in 2002 following experience with Thelema’s Gyles Webb, he acquired a solid...
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Swartland Winery, Bush Vine Syrah, Swartland, South Africa, 2018
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Boekenhoutskloof, Porcupine Ridge Shiraz, Swartland, South Africa, 2020
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Mullineux, Granite Syrah, Swartland, South Africa, 2019
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Richard Kershaw, Syrah 'Clonal Selection', Elgin, South Africa, 2017
Expressive nose showing aromas of blueberry, blackcurrant, coffee, vanilla and violets. Tangy and fresh on the palate, with silky, creamy tannins. Generous finish.
2017
Richard Kershaw
Richard Kershaw, Syrah GPS Series, Overberg, South Africa, 2017
Creamy aromas of coffee, cola, caramelised blackberry and gentle citrus notes. Soft and supple on the palate, with a generous fruit wright and plenty of...
2017
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Stark-Conde, Three Pines Syrah, Jonkershoek Valley, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2018
Perfumed and aromatic nose of purple flowers, damsons and hints of saline oyster shells. Cool and focused on the palate, wonderfully harmonious, with creamy elegance.
2018
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2018
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Nelson Estate, Shiraz, Paarl, South Africa, 2016
Vibrant nose displaying aromas of violets, lilac, earthy blackcurrant, vanilla, nutmeg, old leather and cedary notes. Beautifully juicy on the palate, with stony tannins.
2016
Nelson Estate
Boekenhoutskloof, Syrah, Swartland, South Africa, 2019
Lovely classical aromas of bramble berry, sappy spices, grilled herbs and meaty nuances. The palate is fresh, wonderfully poised and elegant, with a tangy acidity.
2019
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Journey's End, Griffin Syrah, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2016
Engaging and enticing perfume, seductive aromas of dark forest fruit, damsons, plums and subtle grilled herbs nuances. Fine-grained tannins on the palate, focused.
2016
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Gabriëlskloof, The Landscape Series Syrah on Sandstone, Bot River, Walker Bay, South Africa, 2019
Gentle nose of gunpowder, blackberries, graphite and peppery spices with hints of cedar and violets. Dense and fleshy, showing power and muscle.
2019
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Damascene, Swartland Syrah, Swartland, South Africa, 2020
Broody nose showing notes of black and red berries, with liquorice and oyster shell undertones. Chalky tannins, vibrant and minty finish.
2020
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Mullineux, Schist Roundstone Syrah, Swartland, South Africa, 2019
Seductive perfumed nose, with black forest gateau, black olive, cocoa, violets and rose bud aromas. Chalky, dry palate with finegrained tannins.
2019
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Mullineux, Signature Syrah, Swartland, South Africa, 2018
Cool and classy, showing racy dark and red fruits with saline and savoury hints. Fine-grained tannins on the palate. Elegant, lingering finish.
2018
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Iona, Solace Syrah, Elgin, South Africa, 2018
Fresh and herbal nose, with focused nose of blackberry, cassis and graphite mineral notes. Silky and lingering on the palate, minty finish.
2018
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Cederberg, Shiraz, Cederberg, South Africa, 2018
Juicy red currant aromas with notes of blueberry and hints of stony mineral nuances and tapenade. Focused on the palate, sapid.
2018
Cederberg
Damascene, Cederberg Syrah, Cederberg, South Africa, 2020
Minty, with a soft, delicate perfume of rose bud, violets and wild bramble. The palate is pure and pristine, plush and textured.
2020
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Old Road Wine Co., 12 Mile Syrah, Coastal Region, South Africa, 2018
Effortless and sublime, blackcurrant, mint and raspberry coulis aromas with coffee notes. Full and broad palate, plush and elegant, with plenty of density.
2018
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Rall Wines, Ava Syrah, Swartland, South Africa, 2020
Exotic nose of cola, bilberries, sweet blossom, barley sugar and red fruits. Delicate tannins on the palate, with a lovely vibrant finish.
2020
Rall Wines
Strandveld Vineyards, Syrah, Elim, Cape Agulhas, South Africa, 2019
Luscious forward dark fruits, pink musk, talc and red berry candy aromas. Silky and creamy on the palate, restrained, showing finesse.
2019
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Lomond, Syrah, Cape Agulhas, South Africa, 2019
Refined scents of herbs, cured meats, aromatic herbs and peppery notes, with hints of black berry fruit. Intricate and polished palate with a refreshing zing.
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Elgin Vintners, Syrah, Elgin, South Africa, 2018
Slightly earthy and meaty nose with overtones of black berries, dark plums and molasses. Gentle and relaxed on the palate, showing a refined elegance.
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Holden Manz, Syrah Reserve, Franschhoek, South Africa, 2017
Complex aromas of sappy spices, fruit cake, blue fruits and layers of graphite and tapenade. Immense on the mid-palate, well-layered, soft and creamy.
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Keermont, Syrah, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2016
Smoky and saline nose displaying tones of bacon, blackberry, graphite and liquorice, with violet and roses notes. Dense and bold, with a luscious fruit core.
2016
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Oldenburg Vineyards, Syrah, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2018
Tobacco and cassis aromas with notes of oak spices and charry nuances. Spicy palate, tangy, intense and powerful. Quite persistent finish.
2018
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Uva Mira, D.W. Syrah, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2017
Rich dark fruited nose infused with chargrilled meat, black olives and sappy black plums. Restrained palate, with supple tannins. Brambly finish.
2017
Uva Mira
