Terracura Syrah 2015

By , 22 May 2017

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Ryan Mostert

Ryan Mostert of Silwervis Wines.

Silwervis Wines was started in the spirit of “healthy rebellion” that the now defunct Swartland Revolution epitomized by winemaker Ryan Mostert and partner Samantha Suddons, financial whizz Michael Roets and wine retailer Roland Peens. To date, they have been four funky wines with funky labels, namely Smiley White and Red, both non-vintage and Silwervis White and Red but now these are joined by Terracura Syrah. Tasting notes and ratings for current releases as follows:

Smiley White NV
Price: R150
The third bottling of this incorporating 50% of the 2017 vintage but also wine from 2014, 2015 and 2016. From Chenin Blanc, includes portions fermented under flor and with skin contact as well as maderised. An entirely compelling nose – a top note of potpourri before blue orange, peach, apricot and a little nutty character. The palate is lean but extremely flavourful, the finish long and saline. Super stuff and apparently attracting a growing following, production now up to 20 000 bottles!

Editor’s rating: 93/100.

Silwervis White 2015
Price: R375
From a 55 year old Aprilskloof Chenin Blanc vineyard. Fermented and matured for 12 months in concrete egg and then a further 12 months in tank. A definite note of reduction is the first impression on the nose but this somehow suits the wine. With time in glass, citrus and peach, ginger and other spice come to the fore. The purity of the fruit is impressive but this wine is currently very tight and savoury, some phenolic grip on the finish lending interest. Not for the uninitiated!

Editor’s rating: 93/100.

Smiley Red NV
Price: R150
A blend of 40% Cinsault, 40% Mourvèdre and the rest Syrah and Tinta Barocca. 100% whole bunch fermented and 12.5% alcohol Very aromatic with notes of fynbos and lavender before wild strawberry, raspberry and a little black olive. Light bodied and fresh with lovely fine tannins. Extra smashable.

Editor’s rating: 91/100.

Silwervis Red 2015
Price: R375
From Cinsault, this is 100% whole bunch fermentation as Mostert says he finds the variety tends to take on a “bubble gum” character without. The nose is quite shy but look hard enough and you’ll find red cherry, some musk and a little herbal character. The palate is light and fresh with powdery tannins. Elegant to the point of ephemeral. Mostert terms it “’n boer se Pinot” and that is a pretty apt description. See here for the extensive debate that the 2014 elicited.

Editor’s rating: 91/100.

Terracura Syrah 2015
Price: R375
From six different vineyards. Here Mostert’s lightness of touch really works – the nose shows red currant and cherry, vanilla pod (quite winning yet curious given that no new oak was used in the maturation) and a frangipani-like perfume. Again light bodied but if the Silwervis Cinsault feels ever so slightly underdone, this seems all of a piece. Pure and true with lovely freshness and fine, even delicate tannins. Nothing too angular or bony about it, while the finish is wonderfully persistent.

Editor’s rating: 94/100.

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