2020 Porseleinberg

Within the world of extremely exclusive Syrah, Porseleinberg is a rising star. The ratings for the 2018 vintage (100 points Tim Atkin, 95 points Robert Parker) heralded a new chapter for winemaker Callie Louw and his only wine last year. The Porseleinberg hill is located in Swartland southeast of Riebeek-Kasteel. The bottom of the hill consists of blue schist and due to the absence of a top layer, the vines stand directly on the parent rock. It is an extreme terroir far from civilization, which suits the winemaker and his story.

Callie Louw is a classic vigneron: he lives on his land among the grapes, from which he makes wine. Special is that he only makes 1 wine, he will not get distracted. His terroir philosophy depends on that of the 'non-intervention lists': His wines are an expression of time and place, the vinification is (almost) the same every year, so that the character of the vintage is expressed to the maximum. Whole bunches of the oldest vines are picked at optimum ripeness, then trampled underfoot and fermented through 'submerged cap fermentation' (where the skins are constantly submerged). Callie makes minimal use of pump-overs, but leaves the wine alone as much as possible in 2500 liters of foudre and a few Nomblot eggs.

The resulting wine is often compared in structure and character to its finest Northern Rhône counterparts. Due to the increased knowledge of his terroir, Callie manages to leave behind the strength and structure of earlier and find the balance in elegance and refinement. The 2019 vintage was again highly rated by Tim Atkin with 99 points! Suckling has given the 2020 vintage 95/100 points.

Parker ends his glowing review with, "....Bravo! I'm finishing my glass and not spitting this tasting sample!"