Reyneke Organic Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Reyneke is an organic and biodynamic estate in Stellenbosch, in South Africa's Coastal Region, and one of the Cape's pioneers of low intervention farming. This wine blends Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon from organic vineyards across the Western Cape, a quarter of them on the Reyneke estate itself. The Coastal Region is warm but cooled by Atlantic breezes off False Bay, which slows ripening and holds acidity in the fruit. Decomposed granite and shale soils drain freely and stress the vines, concentrating flavour and giving the wine its mineral grip. The grapes are sorted, destemmed and fermented with native yeasts in concrete and stainless steel tanks, which keeps the fruit expression clean and true to site, before barrel ageing where slow oxygen exchange firms the tannins and adds a smoky, spiced frame. Syrah brings dark berry fruit and pepper, Cabernet adds backbone and a blackcurrant edge. It is deep purple, with a nose of ripe plum, blackberry, black pepper, dark chocolate and woodsmoke. The palate is full bodied and structured, with ripe dark fruit, firm tannin and a long savoury finish. Serve at 17 to 18 degrees, decanted. It suits grilled red meat and lamb.