Syrah, Stark-Condé, Stellenbosch, ZA, 2020

Winemaker's tasting note

According to the winery, the 2020 shows:

• Deep purple color
• Concentrated dark fruit
• Licorice, violet and white pepper aromas
• Rich, broad palate with fine-grained tannins
• Blend of 98% Syrah, 1% Roussanne and 1% Viognier, reflecting a Northern Rhône-inspired style.

Style

The estate describes this Syrah as deliberately Old World in style, coming from a stony vineyard in Jonkershoek Valley. Co-fermentation with small amounts of Viognier and Roussanne is intended to enhance floral aromatics and refine the tannins rather than add noticeable white-wine character.

Drinking window

Based on the Wine Spectator review and the wine's structure:

• Drink now: Yes, with a decant of 30–60 minutes.
• Peak: Approximately 2026–2033.
• Potential to age: Through 2035 under good cellar conditions.