2012 Waterkloof Syrah Circumstance

Community Tasting Notes (2) Avg Score: 89.7 points

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  11/25/2016 - burlingtonm wrote: 91 Points

  This is a good example of the cool climate Syrahs that some South African winemakers are doing so well, tending towards the style of the wines from the Northern Rhone. Pepper and iodine notes on the nose with good length without heaviness and some richness adding up to a wine that gives lots of pleasure

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  10/2/2016 - mjwstickings Likes this wine: 89 Points

  This is a 100% Syrah from the Stellenbosch district of the Coastal Region, about 50 km east/south-east of Cape Town, but it does not initially come across as Syrah but rather as some lightly mochafied Pinotage (coffee/chocolate/vanilla) blended with a touch of Cabernet (cassis). And that's fine, given that the mocha isn't overwhelming, but with time the Syrah really does come out, more northern Rhône than southern, given that the grapes, according to the producer, are grown just 5 km from the Atlantic Ocean at relatively high altitude (240-60 m), and hence in a moderate climate, and that the granitic soils are similar to those found in the northern Rhône. And so while there's a touch of meatiness, it's the black pepper that really stands out, along with blackberry, cherry, and milk chocolate, as well as floral, herbal, and smoky notes adding to the impressive comlpexity, with refreshing acidity cutting through the richness and solid length capping it off. The grainy tannins make the whole thing too rough, subtracting from the elegance, but overall this is a fine take on South African Syrah, paying homage to France while also defining itself as something different and rewarding in its own right.

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