2015 Topside Syrah

The 2015 Syrah Topside has a lot of reduction on the nose, and this suppresses the brightness and fruit expression. The palate is better with succulent tannins, a keen line of acidity and an attractive black pepper note on the finish. But it feels "hemmed in" by the reduction. Note that it does respond to aeration and develops more freshness and vigor. I just think this needed a longer decant and if so, would achieve a higher score. Tasted blind at the 10-Year-On horizontal in London.

Single vineyard on the Stellenboschberg, with rocky soils. Open fermenters. 20 months in 500-litre, used French oak. No filtration. TA 5.6 g/l, pH 3.41, RS 2.5 g/l, total SO2 53 mg/l. 2,541 bottles. Coal smoke, black pepper, dark chocolate and granite mineral, with deep, rich, savoury blackberry. Fine, firm tannins and an inky, stony, long finish. (TJ)

Unblended, the 2015 Topside Syrah is fresh and dusty on the nose with soft, black fruit expression and a fine, black-spice edge. The medium to full-bodied palate has a dusty, varietally correct expression with a soft grip of tannins and a mineral edge with sandy, black pepper tones. It finishes long with lingering, dusty mineral notes. The Topside vineyard is situated on a hill opposite the Steepside vineyard. 2,541 bottles were made.