Reyneke Reserve Red 2021

Reyneke is a biodynamic estate in Stellenbosch, in South Africa's Coastal Region, and this Reserve Red is a single-variety Syrah grown under organic farming. The Polkadraai hills here run on decomposed granite, free-draining soils that keep yields low and concentrate flavour, while sea air off False Bay lengthens the ripening season and holds onto acidity. Around 35 percent of the clusters are placed whole into a concrete tank and pressed by foot, the rest destemmed over the top, so the wine carries both whole-bunch lift and darker crushed-fruit depth. Fermentation starts spontaneously with native yeast and gentle punch-downs and pump-overs, then the wine goes to second-use French oak for malolactic fermentation, which softens the sharper malic acidity into a rounder texture and keeps the oak in the background. The colour is deep ruby. The nose leads with wild cherry and red berries, sweet basil and dried thyme, with sandalwood, nutmeg and a savoury iron note underneath. The palate is medium bodied and elegant, firm but fine in tannin, closing on pepper and earth. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees. Good with roast lamb, beef or duck.