Boekenhoutskloof Syrah 2001

The maiden vintage of Boekenhoutskloof Syrah – the wine that arguably put Cape Syrah on the global map – was 1997. From a Somerset West vineyard, that site was unfortunately removed, with subsequent vintages sourced for many years from Wellington.

The 2001 vintage, as reviewed by Angela Lloyd in the 2004 edition of Platter’s, received Four and a Half Stars, with the note: “Latest 2001 reflects the vintage’s elegance; lifted fragrance, mellifluous flavours and tannins, great concentration and potential (8–10 yrs).”

Experiencing it now, the nose reveals red berries, olive brine, cured meat, and white pepper. On the palate, the fruit remains intact, though the tannins are fully resolved. The wine is in descent but far from collapse – still layered, with a gently savoury finish. Spend time with it, and its hearty, even chunky character becomes apparent. At 15% alcohol, it proved a little tiring to drink. That said, my note is very similar to the one I made three years ago, and I can’t help but wonder if the alcohol is also acting as a preservative…

CE’s rating: 91/100.

Footnote: The bottle still bore its original retail tag of R199.95. Assuming a long-term inflation rate of 5.5%, the 2026 equivalent would be R766, compared with the current 2022 release, which retails for R600.