De Trafford Blueprint Syrah 2020

De Trafford Blueprint Syrah is a single variety red from the De Trafford winery in WO Stellenbosch, South Africa. The fruit comes from the neighbouring north west facing Keermont vineyard, sixteen years old, on red Hutton soils with decomposed granite and from the steep, stony Mont Fleur plots. Stellenbosch has a warm Mediterranean climate cooled by ocean breezes, and the steep granite slopes drain freely, stressing the vines so they yield concentrated, ripe fruit at 14.6 per cent while keeping a savoury, mineral frame. The grapes are picked by hand into 20 kilogram boxes, then destemmed and gently crushed. The wine ages twenty months in French oak barrels, where long, slow oxygen exchange softens the tannins and integrates spice and a fine, firm structure. The colour is deep ruby. The nose shows ripe blackberry and plum with black pepper, smoke, liquorice and dark chocolate over cedar and toast. The palate is full and structured, the tannins ripe and firm, the finish long and savoury. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees and decant for an hour. It suits grilled beef, lamb and game.