Richard Kershaw Elgin Clonal Selection Syrah 2020

Richard Kershaw works in Elgin in South Africa's Western Cape South Coast, a cool, elevated valley close to the Atlantic that ripens grapes slowly. This Syrah is built from a selection of different clones, each picked and vinified separately to add layers of aroma and structure. Elgin's cool maritime climate, high altitude and long growing season hold back sugar and lock in the pepper and floral notes typical of cool-climate Syrah, while the wide day-to-night temperature swing keeps acidity firm. The wine is matured for seventeen months partly in concrete eggs, which allow a gentle micro-oxygenation and keep the fruit pure without adding wood flavour, and partly in barrels, which lend structure and a light toast. The colour is deep red with a purple rim. The nose mixes red and black fruit with cracked black pepper, olive, smoke and dried herbs. The palate is medium to full bodied, with fresh acidity, fine grained tannins and a long peppery finish. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees, decanted if young. It suits grilled lamb, beef and game.