Porseleinberg, Swartland 2015

The 2015 Porseleinberg is tasted from two bottles, the first slightly corked. The second is representative with black cherries, bilberry, crushed stone and a very light gamey note. There is still plenty of freshness and tension here. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, a wonderful spine of acidity that keeps this on its toes. Impressive precision on the finish, there is great terroir and equally great winemaking here, a stupendous showing. Tasted blind at the 10-Year-On horizontal in London.

The 2015 Syrah begins with with a black core of fruit with a grippy and rigid minerality on the nose. The palate is bone-dry with a taught mineral-driven expression that moves to a grippy tannic nature that lingers long on the finish with black spice and plum skin, and black tea. The body is full and brooding confirming the tannins are built for years to come. In youth, this acts like a young Barolo, as it can be unforgiving upon release. I am very interested to see these wines again in the year 2030. Only 800 cases were produced.