Syrah on Shale 2022

If our Sandstone Syrah is about survival against the odds, our Syrah on Shale tells a different story—one of richness born from ancient soils and the relentless dance between vine and wind. This is a wine shaped by the very ground beneath it and the forces of nature that test it daily.

The Story Behind the Wine
The fruit comes from a single Bokkeveld shale site right here on our Gabriëlskloof property—soil that's been millions of years in the making. The high clay component acts like nature's own water bank, allowing for excellent retention and creating a resultant riper fruit profile that sets this wine apart. But there's another character in this story: the wind.

This vineyard faces the full brunt of the south-easterly wind that sweeps across the Western Cape. Rather than sheltering the vines, we let them feel its force. That constant, buffeting stress is exactly what pushes them to show their true colours—creating wines of depth and character that couldn't exist without this daily trial by air.

In the Glass
The 2022 vintage is richly perfumed and utterly captivating. Violets, pepper, and blueberries lead on the nose, giving way to a pure-fruited and opulent palate that shows darker berries and black olives. There's a wonderful stony, textured mouthfeel—the shale speaking directly through the wine—with powdery, expertly integrated tannins that support the fruit's weight without overwhelming it. Fresh acidity lifts everything, providing balancing freshness, while the finish is intense, deep, and long. This is Syrah with real presence.

How We Make It
Hand-picked into small crates and kept cool overnight, just as these exceptional grapes deserve. More than half the crop is destemmed, with the remainder left as whole clusters to add complexity and structure. Wild fermentation in small, open-top fermenters with extended post-fermentation maceration allows the wine to extract everything it needs. Fourteen months in 500L barrels using second and third-fill French oak provides subtle enhancement without masking the terroir.

Artist Niël Jonker captured the essence of this windswept shale site in his landscape panels, painted on location to reflect the raw beauty of this corner of the Overberg.

Perfect for: Those dinners where you want a wine that commands attention—pair with slow-braised beef, game dishes, or aged cheeses that can match its intensity and complexity.

Technical Details:
Alcohol: 13.96% vol | Residual Sugar: 2.7g/L | Total Acidity: 5.7g/L | pH: 3.53

Release Date: April 2025