Mount Sutherland Syrah 2013

Super Single Vineyards sees Daniël de Waal making wines under two labels, namely Mount Sutherland and Pella, grapes for the former sourced from a sheep farm near Sutherland in the Karoo and for the latter from around Stellenbosch.

Far from the madding crowd.

The 2012 vintage of Mount Sutherland Syrah was not only best in category but best red wine overall at the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show 2014 and the current-release 2013 (price: R240 a bottle) again impresses.

Fermentation was 60% whole bunch, before maturation lasting 14 months in French oak, 60% new. The nose is complex and alluring with notes of red and black fruit, flowers and scrub plus pepper and spice while the palate is pure and fresh with grippy but not astringent tannins. A really characterful drop.

Editor’s rating: 94/100.

De Waal also has experimental plantings of various other varieties on the Sutherland property, a Nebbiolo being particularly notable for me, tasting note and rating as follows.

Mount Sutherland Nebbiolo 2014
Price: R450
Matured for 14 months in second- and third-fill barrels. A top note of roses before cherry and wild strawberry plus some spice and a touch of earthiness. Medium bodied with fresh acidity and fine tannins, the finish long and dry. Only 600 bottles made.

Editor’s rating: 91/100.

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