Fogwell Syrah 2023

Fogwell Wines is a joint venture between Chris Alheit of Alheit Vineyards and friend William Fogwell, who is a Hermanus chiropractor. They make one wine, maiden vintage being the 2023, a Syrah with two-thirds of the grapes from Polkadraai Hills property Karibib (on granite) and one-third from the same Swartland vineyard (on schist) that Donovan Rall uses for his Ava bottling, maturation in cement and old oak.

Beguiling aromatics of flowers, fynbos, red currant, orange and pomegranate precede a palate that shows pure and well delineated fruit, fresh acidity and lightly grippy tannins. It’s quite light bodied (alcohol is 12.5%) but it’s detailed and most definitely leaves you wanting more – a wonderfully measured, elegant wine. Price: R595 a bottle.

CE’s rating: 95/100.

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