Provenance

Private Client

Critics Ratings

2016:
‘Single-vineyard shiraz, like 2015 (90 pts). More expressive & fascinating than the Syrah. A floral note (lilies) is part of the dark fruit complexity & finesse of 2016, lifted by 25% bunch ferment, supported by judicious oaking (20% new). Firmly built. Long-lingering dry finish.’ - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2019, 4.5* (94/100)

‘“I’m making this for Syrah fanatics”, says Reenen Borman. Lucky them is all I can say, because this is another stunning release from a brilliant young winemaker. Intense, granitic and spicy, with lovely lavender and garrigue aromas, layers of dark, inky fruit, stylish oak and amazing length. What more do you want from a Syrah? 2020-30’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2018, 98/100

2017:
‘What can I say? After scoring 98 points for two previous vintages of this world-class wine, Reenen Borman has gone one better in 2017. First produced in 2012, Epilogue just keeps improving. Made entirely with the SH99 clone, it's intense, concentrated yet beautifully balanced, with notes of fynbos, pine and blackberry fruit and subtle 15% new wood complemented by 20% whole bunches. 2022-35’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2019, 99/100

‘Rich, dark and subtly seductive. Dark fruit and a hint of dark chocolate but not sweet. Firm, dry and serious, dark like 75% chocolate on the finish, leaving your mouth clean, with a long lingering finish.’ – Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17+/20 (Sep 2019)

2018:
‘Understatedly expressive single-vineyard syrah. Dried herb-floral perfume on already complex 2018. Velvet texture, fresh &, like 2017 (4.5 stars, 94 pts), unassertive but informing tannins in balance with fine fruit. Partly destemmed; 25% new oak, 30% concrete-matured. 13.5% alcohol.’ - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2021, 5* (96/100)

‘The only thing wrong with this wine is that, at 2,000 bottles, there is very little of it. Expressing just how good this site is in "less perfect vintages", it's a Stellenbosch-meets- Hermitage style from Reenen Borman with effortless concentration and focus, aromas of lavender, thyme and black olive, subtle 20% new wood and dense, succulent black fruit. 2023-30’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2020, 98/100

2019:
‘Cool-climate feel to outstanding 2019 syrah, unshowy but with impact from wild herbs, spicy perfume. There’s energy & drive in the silky texture, well-integrated tannins playing a freshening & forming role. Youthfully approachable but has substance, gravitas for future pleasure. 70% concrete ferment; 30% new oak.’ - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2022, 5* (98/100)

‘"I'm making the style I want to make" says Reenen Borman of this trail-blazing, world-class Syrah from granite soils in the Polkadraai Hills. Lavender and rosemary aromas dominate on the nose, followed by a palate that is dense, chewy and built to last, with stony grip, inky dark berry fruit and a meaty, sturdy finish. 2025-35’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2021, 98/100

2020:
‘From syrah, with great aromatic depth of dark fruit & spice on 2020; the palate supple yet muscular, with layers of flavour lifted by freshening, fine tannins. Influential 34% oaked portion, all new, infuses complexity & class. 30% wholebunch ferment. 13.5% alc. Follows outstanding 2019 (98 pts).’ - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2023, 5* (95/100)

‘"I make Epilogue with eight different components, like building blocks," says Reenen Borman of this stunning, world-class Syrah. Hailing from a 1.5-hectare Polkadraai Hills' block on decomposed granite, this is scented, plush and intense, with blackberry, fennel and wild thyme flavours, plenty of structure, adroitly integrated 34% new oak and remarkable freshness and palate length. Shows the elegance of the 2020 vintage. 2023-32’ - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2022, 98/100

‘30% whole-bunch, two-third fermented and matured for some 14 – 16 months in cement, one-third in 400-litre barrels, all new. Genteel aromatics of red and black berries plus violets, subtle notes of dried herbs, cinnamon and white pepper. The palate is precise and detailed – the wine is medium bodied but there is a certain succulence to the fruit and good freshness, while the tannins are wonderfully fine-grained, making for a texture that is smooth, almost creamy. Precise and detailed, this has a finesse that is a result of exacting craftsmanship. A modest 13.5% in alcohol, it’s nevertheless not insubstantial or lacking in intensity.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 96/100 (Jun 2022)

2021:
‘The 2021 Epilogue is from a single vineyard, 60% aged in concrete and 40% new 400-liter oak barrels. It is more floral than the previous vintage with more garrigue-like scents - wild fennel, rosemary and just a hint of lavender. The new oak is barely noticeable, which Boorman told me he has "toned down" in recent vintages. The palate is medium-bodied, with filigree tannins framing the pure, tensile dark berry fruit and hints of white pepper and clove. This has so much energy and poise; the terroir is coming through perhaps more than the 2020. Superb.’ – Neal Martin, Vinous, 95/100 (Aug 2023)

‘Always one of SA’s best syrahs. Freshness of 2021 lends initial impression of delicacy & lightness, with beguiling spice & floral fragrance. Greater density & concentration than Syrah sibling never at expense of finesse in suppleness or fine tannins. The flavours grow, leaving memorable savoury length. 60% wholebunch, 60% aged in concrete, rest new oak. 13.7% alc.’ - Platter's SA Wine Guide 2015, 5* (97/100)