2023 Carinus Family Syrah

The Carinus cousins, Danie and Hugo, are part of that new-wave energy really putting South African Syrah back on the map. While they have deep roots in the Swartland, they’ve got a knack for finding prime parcels in Stellenbosch that offer a bit more lift and elegance than the traditional heavy-hitters.

This fruit comes from a single vineyard in the Polkadraai Hills, which is pretty much the "it" spot for Syrah right now. It sits on decomposed sandstone soils that bring a distinct mineral clarity and a natural freshness, which is exactly what you want to keep the wine vibrant in that Mediterranean heat.

In the cellar, they don’t mess about too much. They added about 30% of the stems back into the ferment to give the wine some structural backbone and a nice herbal perfume. It’s all about balance here. The winemaking is really hands-off, letting the fruit weight do the talking.

On the nose, you get heaps of red and black cherry, rose petals, and that classic hit of black pepper and cured meat. It’s medium-bodied and really harmonious, with lightly grippy tannins that give it a great, food-friendly chew. Honestly, it's just a sophisticated, detailed red that’s perfect for a Sunday roast or a high-quality midweek glass.