Dark cherry colour. On the nose there is a sweet minerality with a faint hint of must/old oak. On the palate there is sweet fruit and the alcohol protrudes a little. It's pleasant and comes across as a southern Rhone wine rather than what I recall from previous bottles. In their youth these Syrah's seemed more rhone syrah in style but this is more shiraz than syrah. Still a nice wine and quite moreish but not the style I was expecting.
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At Pcats tasting: A fresh, white pepper and savoury nose; On the palate a rich entry with a wave of red, almost perfumed, fruits. The finish was long and rich with more than a nod to the Rhone. Really fine quality.
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Initially, I did not like the nose or the finish. (85 at best) Metallic, vegetal and slightly bitter. After 30 to 40 minutes of decanting, the finish and nose improved significantly. Light fruit on the nose with smoky cellar, clearly not a Cali Syrah. Good tannins 7/10 and body with acidity - (reminiscent of acidity in a Super Tuscan)
I would not let this lie down for too much longer.
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A very deep red (not purple) and beautiful voluminous ripeness, with a slowly maturing smoky quality, only marred for me by slightly too chewy/rustic tannins. But impressive and interesting.
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Decanted for 1,5 hour. It's already showing signs of evolution as rims are already slightly brick red. Lovely on the nose with leather, cinnamon, blueberries, kirsch and floral scents. On the palate this is full bodied, elegant, balanced with refined tannins and mild astringency. The aftertaste is long and leaves an interesting taste of bacon at the very end. This is really good. Drink it now - 2014.
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Intense smell of dark fruit, integrated oak, a hint of smoke/rubber and then loads of more fruit. The taste is rich and lasts for a long time. Will drink my other bottle within two years.
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Dark; mulled dark fruits, medicinal & minty element; big 'n' brawny, power-packed, porty; total lack of refinement. Probably best to drink now, as fruit likely to dissipate first.
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Medium + ruby with a garnet rim. Evolved and intense nose offering restraint brett, raw meat, black fruit together with vegetal hints that deliver some freshness. Evident oak, possibly new. Velvety with a complex palate. Spicy, leathery and fruity. Well balanced between zesty acidity, medium + well integrated/ripe tannins against generous alcohol and medium full body. Long. At its best now.
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Platter tasting (By UG): Carmine red. Elegant and complex bouquet with black and red fruits, some herbs and a pleasant dose of oak. On the palate the same impressions together with some tobacco and tea. Really nice, elegant and not over-extracted wine.
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Syrah/Shiraz tasting @ my place (Netherlands): Floral (like orchids) nose. Spicy hints of clove, caramel and cinnamon, but also kirsch, black fruit, coffeebeans and yoghurt. Very nice wine but the oak needs to integrate a little more and there is some VA and overripeness. Maybe an extra year in the celllar will balance it out. 17/20
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Tasted at home over dinner with friends with 3 more Syrahs. Purple. Fresh raspberries, violets, spices, minerals and animal notes. Very well integrated oak. Full bodied and perfectly balanced where massive but soft tannins and high acidity surround the multy-layered fruit core. Long finish. Now-2015
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Impressive. Powerful nose of herbs, spices and fruit. Well structured and intense. Restrained "European" taste without "over-the-top" nuances. Silky tannins round up th wow-experience.
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A massive wine with tons of fruit lots of white and black pepper and finishes with bracing acidity. I'm convinced that this will evolve in to a stunning, exceptional wine but it needs several years to come together and tame down. Could make for a great northern rhone ringer!
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Light smoke, tar and dark chocolate on nose, with a slight raisiny tendency. Dandelion and burdock on palate. Incredibly pure fruit, crisp clear lingering finish. Very moreish. Over time the finish becomes more raisiny. More Rhone in style than New World. Would have scored higher if it hadn't deteriorated over time. Will buy more.
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Another great bottle - enjoyed in Guernsey with friends during our first BBQ of the 2008 season! As always, this deep, dark syrah had great fruit, pepper and smokyness on the nose. The palate is savoury, but rich, showing capsicum, earthiness and ending in rich black fruit.
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Delicious as always. Deep purple in colour I found candied fruit, white pepper and a hint of smokyness/tar on the nose. The palate is mainly savoury displaying some minerality, but also rich black fruits. Mouth-filling, silky and elegant.
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This is probably the best red I ever tasted from South Africa. Complex bouquet. A lot of juice, fresh ripe red fruits, good spices, good acidity and quite much sweetness. Long aftertaste. Elegant. Still very young. Will probably gain in complexity (and score) with ageing.
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Bright and clear ruby color. Wonderfull nose of ripe red fruits, oak and spices, also good floral notes. Medium-bodied on the palate, with layers of red ripe fruits, currants, berries, chocolate, oriental spices, oaky vanilla, meat, cinnamon and green pepper. Balanced, round, velvety texture. Realy impressive (Rhone style) syrah from South Africa! Keep it for some more years.
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A very classy Syrah. Not giving a tremendous amount on the nose just now with some white pepper and some meaty fruit. The palate is smooth and seamless with remarkable concentration and while it has plenty of structure to keep it interesting, the tannins are as refined as any South African wine I've had.
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Solidly ripe, but in a more Rhone style, with lots of grilled herb, pepper, briar and black currant aromas and flavors, with a structured, minerally finish.
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Made from 100% Syrah from the Wellington vineyard, this wine went into used French oak barrique of varying ages for fermentation and maturation. Deep purple in colour I found dried fruit, spice and pepper on the nose. The palate is savoury, displays some mineral qualities and has a lush, mouth-filling silkiness. Fruit and wood are balanced in harmony. Well integrated tannins. Great elegance. Very nice indeed.
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Deep purple but what a nose!! Marc Kent is a genius because once again he has created a wonderful wine.The nose is packed with ripe berries,black pepper,grilled sausages and a touch of flowery perfume.Medium bodied,smooth texture and powerful but not overbearing fruit.Supple tannins,good length and just a brilliant wine which will improve over next 5 years or so.
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2/19/2017 - fcxj wrote: 80 Points
Tried one glass, rest went into beef bourguinon...
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9/3/2015 - rayq wrote: 90 Points
Dark cherry colour.
On the nose there is a sweet minerality with a faint hint of must/old oak.
On the palate there is sweet fruit and the alcohol protrudes a little.
It's pleasant and comes across as a southern Rhone wine rather than what I recall from previous bottles.
In their youth these Syrah's seemed more rhone syrah in style but this is more shiraz than syrah.
Still a nice wine and quite moreish but not the style I was expecting.
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8/9/2015 - Enworb Likes this wine: 91 Points
At Pcats tasting: A fresh, white pepper and savoury nose; On the palate a rich entry with a wave of red, almost perfumed, fruits. The finish was long and rich with more than a nod to the Rhone. Really fine quality.
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7/17/2015 - cab blends wrote: 91 Points
Initially, I did not like the nose or the finish. (85 at best) Metallic, vegetal and slightly bitter. After 30 to 40 minutes of decanting, the finish and nose improved significantly. Light fruit on the nose with smoky cellar, clearly not a Cali Syrah. Good tannins 7/10 and body with acidity - (reminiscent of acidity in a Super Tuscan)
I would not let this lie down for too much longer.
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7/17/2015 - Millennial Drinkers Likes this wine: 91 Points
Really enjoyable, confused by earlier notes, lovely smoke and game, very impressive but drink asap
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6/21/2015 - yofog wrote:
A very deep red (not purple) and beautiful voluminous ripeness, with a slowly maturing smoky quality, only marred for me by slightly too chewy/rustic tannins. But impressive and interesting.
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3/31/2015 - Badamf wrote: 89 Points
Definitely time to drink up. Lifted VA on the nose, still some fruit there but structure starting to go. Ridiculously heavy bottle! So unnessary.
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2/24/2015 - Tarpon222 wrote: 60 Points
I think this is over the hill. Funny how the color was "rich." But taste was bitter, not necessarily oxidized
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11/23/2012 - Zweder wrote: flawed
Boekenhoutskloof Winemakers dinner. (@ Bottles; Sas van Gent, Netherlands): There is hardly any bouquet. On the palate the wine is a bit oxidized. Most likely a badly stored bottle. No score.
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11/23/2012 - Strikermax wrote: flawed
Geoxideerd.
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9/29/2012 - vsbastosx wrote: 92 Points
Decanted for 1,5 hour.
It's already showing signs of evolution as rims are already slightly brick red.
Lovely on the nose with leather, cinnamon, blueberries, kirsch and floral scents. On the palate this is full bodied, elegant, balanced with refined tannins and mild astringency. The aftertaste is long and leaves an interesting taste of bacon at the very end. This is really good. Drink it now - 2014.
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6/2/2012 - relmersson wrote: 91 Points
Intense smell of dark fruit, integrated oak, a hint of smoke/rubber and then loads of more fruit. The taste is rich and lasts for a long time. Will drink my other bottle within two years.
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3/24/2012 - chbeaumont wrote: 87 Points
Dark; mulled dark fruits, medicinal & minty element; big 'n' brawny, power-packed, porty; total lack of refinement. Probably best to drink now, as fruit likely to dissipate first.
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1/22/2012 - Badamf wrote: 89 Points
Black fruit, touch of black pepper and spice.
A well balanced wine, drinking well now, but lacking some complexity.
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12/26/2011 - Dokken wrote: 91 Points
Medium + ruby with a garnet rim. Evolved and intense nose offering restraint brett, raw meat, black fruit together with vegetal hints that deliver some freshness. Evident oak, possibly new. Velvety with a complex palate. Spicy, leathery and fruity. Well balanced between zesty acidity, medium + well integrated/ripe tannins against generous alcohol and medium full body. Long. At its best now.
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4/9/2011 - Zweder wrote: 91 Points
Platter tasting (By UG): Carmine red. Elegant and complex bouquet with black and red fruits, some herbs and a pleasant dose of oak. On the palate the same impressions together with some tobacco and tea. Really nice, elegant and not over-extracted wine.
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11/14/2009 - jkoenen wrote: 89 Points
Syrah/Shiraz tasting @ my place (Netherlands): Floral (like orchids) nose. Spicy hints of clove, caramel and cinnamon, but also kirsch, black fruit, coffeebeans and yoghurt. Very nice wine but the oak needs to integrate a little more and there is some VA and overripeness. Maybe an extra year in the celllar will balance it out. 17/20
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1/6/2009 - Yiannis wrote: 91 Points
Tasted at home over dinner with friends with 3 more Syrahs. Purple. Fresh raspberries, violets, spices, minerals and animal notes. Very well integrated oak. Full bodied and perfectly balanced where massive but soft tannins and high acidity surround the multy-layered fruit core. Long finish. Now-2015
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1/2/2009 - Viini-Viren wrote: 93 Points
Impressive. Powerful nose of herbs, spices and fruit. Well structured and intense. Restrained "European" taste without "over-the-top" nuances. Silky tannins round up th wow-experience.
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5/8/2008 - ken-yyz wrote: 90 Points
A massive wine with tons of fruit lots of white and black pepper and finishes with bracing acidity. I'm convinced that this will evolve in to a stunning, exceptional wine but it needs several years to come together and tame down. Could make for a great northern rhone ringer!
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5/6/2008 - GraemeBell wrote: 93 Points
Light smoke, tar and dark chocolate on nose, with a slight raisiny tendency. Dandelion and burdock on palate. Incredibly pure fruit, crisp clear lingering finish. Very moreish. Over time the finish becomes more raisiny. More Rhone in style than New World. Would have scored higher if it hadn't deteriorated over time. Will buy more.
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4/26/2008 - jamieirving wrote: 95 Points
Another great bottle - enjoyed in Guernsey with friends during our first BBQ of the 2008 season! As always, this deep, dark syrah had great fruit, pepper and smokyness on the nose. The palate is savoury, but rich, showing capsicum, earthiness and ending in rich black fruit.
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2/14/2008 - jamieirving wrote: 95 Points
Delicious as always. Deep purple in colour I found candied fruit, white pepper and a hint of smokyness/tar on the nose. The palate is mainly savoury displaying some minerality, but also rich black fruits. Mouth-filling, silky and elegant.
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2/6/2008 - Zweder wrote: 90 Points
This is probably the best red I ever tasted from South Africa. Complex bouquet. A lot of juice, fresh ripe red fruits, good spices, good acidity and quite much sweetness. Long aftertaste. Elegant. Still very young. Will probably gain in complexity (and score) with ageing.
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1/20/2008 - balassis wrote: 93 Points
Bright and clear ruby color.
Wonderfull nose of ripe red fruits, oak and spices, also good floral notes.
Medium-bodied on the palate, with layers of red ripe fruits, currants, berries, chocolate, oriental spices, oaky vanilla, meat, cinnamon and green pepper.
Balanced, round, velvety texture.
Realy impressive (Rhone style) syrah from South Africa!
Keep it for some more years.
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12/25/2007 - ken-yyz wrote: 93 Points
A very classy Syrah. Not giving a tremendous amount on the nose just now with some white pepper and some meaty fruit. The palate is smooth and seamless with remarkable concentration and while it has plenty of structure to keep it interesting, the tannins are as refined as any South African wine I've had.
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9/10/2007 - A vd Vorst wrote: 95 Points
Solidly ripe, but in a more Rhone style, with lots of grilled herb, pepper, briar and black currant aromas and flavors, with a structured, minerally finish.
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9/2/2007 - jamieirving wrote: 95 Points
Made from 100% Syrah from the Wellington vineyard, this wine went into used French oak barrique of varying ages for fermentation and maturation. Deep purple in colour I found dried fruit, spice and pepper on the nose. The palate is savoury, displays some mineral qualities and has a lush, mouth-filling silkiness. Fruit and wood are balanced in harmony. Well integrated tannins. Great elegance. Very nice indeed.
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6/25/2007 - tendring wrote: 92 Points
Inky dark.
A welcoming mature bouquet.
Luscious fruit, tobacco, well balanced.
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10/11/2006 - keith prothero wrote: 94 Points
Deep purple but what a nose!! Marc Kent is a genius because once again he has created a wonderful wine.The nose is packed with ripe berries,black pepper,grilled sausages and a touch of flowery perfume.Medium bodied,smooth texture and powerful but not overbearing fruit.Supple tannins,good length and just a brilliant wine which will improve over next 5 years or so.
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