98 points, Tim Atkin MW
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97 points, Vinous
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95 points, James Suckling
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About the Wine
Critic Reviews
98 points, Tim Atkin MW
97 points, Vinous
95 points, James Suckling
“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”
97 points, Vinous
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.”
95 points, James Suckling
“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.”
About The Winery
The revolutionary Porseleinberg project is the result of South African icon Marc Kent’s search for premium Rhône grapes for his Boekenhoutskloof and Chocolate Block labels. The journey naturally took him to the Swartland, which at the time was emerging as a premium South African wine region. Kent found a remote, rugged, and windswept 173-acre wine farm atop the Porseleinberg mountain and purchased the property in 2009. Recognizing the enormous potential of the area, and after replanting the vineyards, he decided to create a premium Swartland Syrah from the choice fruit. Under winemaker and viticulturist Callie Louw’s careful eye only the most premium Syrah from the organically farmed vineyard is used in Porseleinberg’s single iconic wine.
