Porseleinberg, 2020 Porseleinberg, 1.5 L, South Africa

“We pick the vintage,” says Callie Louw, whose 2020 Porseleinberg is the second lightest in alcohol he’s ever made at 13.6%. Fermented with 100% whole bunches using the submerged cap technique that transformed the wine in 2018, this is another scented, seamless stunner from Callie Louw. Aged in large foudres and 5% concrete eggs, it’s a spicy, sappy, hauntingly elegant Syrah from a brutal site, with kelp, rose petal, and fynbos aromas, juicy bramble and red berry fruit, fine tannins, and wonderful sense of energy. 2024-32”

The 2020 Porseleinberg is aged 12 months in foudres blended in concrete and then aged for 16 months in bottle. It is very fragrant on the nose with black fruit, white pepper, fennel, and hints of lavender, not unlike a mature Jamet in style. The palate is medium-bodied with light and peppery entry, beautifully proportioned with fine tannins. Old World in style, very focused, it gently builds momentum to a bewitchingly complex Porseleinberg that will give 20-30 years of drinking pleasure. Divine.”

"The 2020 Porseleinberg was a hot and dry season that saw 355mm of rain that moistened the soil sufficiently that, together with smooth flowering, saw larger bunches. The harvest was one of the quickest ever (February 5-19). Matured for 12 months in foudres and concrete eggs, it has a beautifully defined bouquet with a mélange of red and black fruit, wild fennel, leather and light orange rind scents that blossom in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannins, very harmonious, veering more toward red fruit intermixed with black pepper, clove, tobacco and allspice. Filigree on the finish, this might be the most elegant Porseleinberg to date, yet there is such finesse that you are utterly seduced. A long and prosperous future ahead."

“Aromas of red cherries, rose petals, thyme, rosemary, and overturned earth. Medium- to full-bodied with fine, juicy tannins that run the length of the wine. Spicy, herbal, and fruitful, with a lovely approachability to its complex layering. Succulent and persistent. While this will open up with a bit more age, it's already showing very well now. Drink or hold.”

"This is a savory and structured Syrah that offers rich aromas of ripe cherry, blackberry and hints of black olive. It has tight tannins and excellent acidity. The wine's concentrated palate shows complexity, delivering notes of cassis, licorice, olives, dried herbs and tobacco. — Jesica Vargas"

"100% Syrah. Average age of vines at this point was seven years due to vineyard expansion. The post-2019 harvest was hot and dry, with below-average rainfall (355 mm). The vineyards experienced some relief with good rain in October and December and an inch recorded in January, saving the vintage. Sufficient moisture in the soil during flowering and fruit set resulted in bigger bunches and berries. The growing conditions were clean, with a minor threat of downy mildew during an unusually wet December. The 2020 Porseleinberg harvest was one of the quickest and earliest to date. After the January rainfall, warm sunny conditions contributed to healthy, strong canopies, which aided an early veraison and berry ripening. We started picking on 5 February and finished by the 19th. Grapes were hand-picked and crushed as whole bunches into concrete fermentation tanks with the cap submerged. Minimal pump-overs were performed with the submerged cap, and the ferments ran cool and dry within ten days. Maturation occurred over 12 months in 90% foudre and 10% concrete egg. Bottled mid-July 2021. TA 5 g/l, pH 4, RS 2.1 g/l. Dark garnet. Not intense but lively, with sweetness and saltiness. Round and charming. Fine tannins. 13.6% Drink 2023 – 2038"