Boekenhoutskloof Syrah 2013
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Robert -
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2013 Syrah, which may in the future be sourced predominantly from the Porseleinberg site, saw 26 months in second fill French oak with around half spending the final eight months in foudre. It has a very controlled bouquet, nicely defined but not quite "letting go" as I would have expected. Gradually there are hints of wild mint and violet emerging, imparting more varietal character, I think manifested much by the Porseleinberg fruit that constitutes 25% of the current blend. The palate is more comfortable in its own skin: nicely defined with fine grainy tannin, pure and quite minerally red berry fruit with a composed, very refined finish. This is a well crafted Syrah from Boekenhoutskloof.
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Wine Spectator
Vivid and ripe, with lush blueberry compote and plum sauce flavors streaming forth, backed by spice cake and black tea notes. Offers a deftly toasted finish. Pure hedonism.
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2016-
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Robert
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Dunnuck
Jeb -
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Spectator
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Boekenhoutskloof was established in 1776. Located in the furthest corner of the beautiful Franschhoek Valley, the farm’s name means “ravine of the Boekenhout” (pronounced Bookn-Howed). The Boekenhout is an indigenous Cape Beech tree greatly prized for furniture making. In 1993 the farm and homestead was bought and restored and a new vineyard planting program was established that now includes Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Semillon, and Viognier. Today, Marc Kent is the owner, chief winemaker, and driving force behind the dynamic farm.
The Story of the Seven Chairs
The Boekenhout is an indigenous Cape Beech tree greatly prized for making fine furniture. The Boekenhoutskloof label features seven chairs; amongst them the country-style split splat chair made in the neo-classical style with a shouldered top rail and the thonged seat from the late 18th century. Then there’s the Sandveld chair that has two back rails and a thonged seat which made its appearance in the second quarter of the 19th century. The transitional Tulbagh chair was made in the late 18th century; it has a plain back and a shaped top rail with half-round opening. The chairs on the wine labels all pay tribute to the skills of the 18th century craftsmen and their achievements in creating beauty from natural sources, just like the pursuit of fine winemaking.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
Originally named Franschhoek meaning the “French Corner” because it was home to the influx of French Huguenots, today the valley contains many historic cellars and is an important tourist location because of its proximity to Cape Town.
This valley falls to the southeast of Paarl and is enclosed on three sides by towering mountains. Streams from the slopes flow down to the valley floor, converging to form the Berg River. The area excels in the production of full-bodied reds.