5 Stars 2025 John Platter’s South African Wine Guide ‘Incredibly stony vineyard’ the primary source of this elegant expression. 22 ***** (95 pts) seasoned with petit verdot & mourvedre, plus thimblefuls viognier & roussanne a la Rhone. Perfumes of St Joseph’s lilly & savoury fynbos on cherries & plums, lithe tannins & delicate oak, 18 months, 20% new. Even lovlier than last 20 (94 pts).93 pts Tim Atkin MW 2024 Stark-Condé is better known for its work with Bordeaux varieties, but this Syrah is well worth seeking out too. Co-fermented with 20% whole bunches as well as 1% each of Viognier and Roussanne, it has lots of granitic grip and intensity, flavours of blood, Asian spices and black olive and a stony, sinewy finish. 2025-3090 pts Vinous Sept 2024 The 2022 Syrah comes from the three blocks on the estate, with 1% co-fermented in with cement with Viognier and Roussanne. It aged in used oak for a year then went back into cement for nine months. The nose needs a little coaxing but unfolds with wild strawberry, tayberry and light Provençal herb scents—nicely defined and notably elegant. Quite insistent in terms of grip, the palate is medium-bodied with a sapid entry, darker fruit than the nose implies and a sweet and satisfying finish. Give it a year in bottle.
