Provenance

Private Client

Critics Ratings

2012:
‘Bright, pure-fruited perfume from whole-berry fermentation on 12. Red-fruit palate a touch stalky & herbaceous. Fresh acidity, fine dry tannins.’ – Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2015, 4*

‘Almost black. A bit reduced. Quite impressively broad succulent Syrah on the palate. Very savoury and leathery. Not at all sweet.’ – Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 16+/20 (Jan 2015)

2015:
'The grapes for this wine come from a 16-year-old schist vineyard on Riebeek Mountain, surrounded by fynbos. The brambly and spicy nose has a savoury edge – it smells like a South African braai! That fynbos comes through on the palate, alongside herbal notes, black olives and white pepper, plus luscious red and black berries. Supremely drinkable and a great barbecue wine.' - Julie Sheppard, Decanter.com, 92/100 (Feb 2019)

'No longer a single vineyard wine - it now hails from two parcels of 21 and 37 years’ old - this remains an incredibly intense, hedonistic Syrah, with savoury, aromatic spices, dark blackberry fruit, some black olive and a fresh, satisfying finish. 2019-25' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2018, 96/100

'A Swartland standard-bearer. Multi-awarded 2015 reflects stellar vintage. Layers of scented dark spice, berry complexity gently brushed with older oak announce class. Supple silkiness merges seamlessly with fine tannin, lending energy, reverberating length; all delivered with effortless elegance. Disconcertingly drinkable; long-term prospects too, like 2014 (4.5 stars, 94 pts).' - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2015, 5* (97/100)

2017:
'Willie Dreyer grows some of the best grapes in South Africa, so it’s no surprise that this Syrah is so consistently good and is showing just as well a year after I first reviewed it. Bloody, intense and stony, with amazing focus and minerality, layered tannins, a twist of pepper and rich, savoury dark berry fruit. 2020-29' - Tim Atkin MW, SA Special Report 2020, 95/100

'This estate dates back to 1693; Leeuwenkuil means ‘lion’s lair’. Its Heritage Syrah is a blend of two of its best schist vineyards. Very Rhône-like in style, there’s a smoky, slightly animal note hiding in the undergrowth. It’s only just medium-bodied but has real impact and textural force on the palate, thanks to a fine mesh of tight tannins and precise acidity. It all pulls together on the finish like a drawstring. Should age with interest.' - Matt Walls, Decanter.com, 94/100 (Sep 2020)