This Syrah comes exclusively from Karibib farm in the Polkadraai Hills, a site that is helping define the rising identity of Stellenbosch Syrah. The fruit is taken from a high-lying granitic block planted in 1996, which made the vines 29 years old at the 2025 harvest. The vineyard sits at 290 metres and faces southeast. Decomposed granite soils are prized by Syrah growers for the purity, perfume and structure they give, and the elevation and proximity to False Bay add freshness.

The 2025 season came late and stayed late. Record July rainfall gave way to a delayed winter, cold units ran about three weeks behind the previous year, and budburst came later still. Heavy October rain drove vigorous growth and flowering passed without much drama. A single heat spike at Christmas was the only real show of summer heat, January was up to 3 °C cooler than the year before, and the cool spell held into March. The harvest was dry, with no disease pressure of consequence, and the Syrah was hand-picked on 11 March, 11 days later than the previous vintage.

The fruit was vinified in separate batches to show site influence. About 75% was fermented as whole clusters, with the balance destemmed and left as whole berries. Fermentation took place in tulip-shaped concrete tanks with gentle pump-overs twice daily. Both primary and malolactic fermentations were spontaneous. The wine matured for ten months in 2,000 litre conical Austrian oak vats and was bottled without fining.

Tasting Notes: Brooding, structured, and intensely expressive, is a powerful interpretation of the variety. The nose opens with savoury layers of olive tapenade, wild herbs, and cracked black pepper, giving way to notes of mulberry, roasted blackberry, and dark plum. The palate is concentrated and finely sculpted, combining ripe black fruit with pepper spice and a distinctive savoury depth. Firm, finely drawn tannins provide impressive structure, while a subtle mineral edge brings focus and precision. With time in the glass, floral notes of violet emerge, adding lift and complexity to a long, powerful finish marked by dark fruit, spice, and remarkable persistence.

Food Pairing: Calls for bold, flavour-driven cuisine. Slow-roasted lamb shoulder with rosemary and olives beautifully echoes the wine's savoury tapenade character, while pepper-crusted beef fillet draws out its dark fruit and cracked black pepper spice. Smoked brisket, beef short rib, or flame-grilled boerewors are equally compelling, their richness balanced by the wine's firm structure and freshness. For a vegetarian pairing, roasted aubergine with olive tapenade and Mediterranean herbs mirrors the Syrah's earthy, savoury depth. Serve at 17 to 18°C and decant for at least an hour to fully reveal its layered complexity and power.

‘Grapes from Polkadraai Hills. 75% whole-bunch fermentation. Matured for 10 months in 2,000-litre foudre. Smoky reduction before cherry, cassis, lily, fynbos, olive brine, cured meat and pepper on the nose. The palate is acutely focused and well structured – great fruit purity, snappy acidity and firm, assertive tannins without any astringency, the finish long and dry. Lovely clarity, tightly wound yet remarkably fluid. Just about impeccable.’ – Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 99/100 | Classic

'A great nose with pepper and Campari bitters – just classic Karibib! There’s deep fruit, meaty notes and Nebbiolo-like reduction, the palate subtly dense with an umami richness and depth. The intensity is impressive in this vintage. Crystalline and striking, it speaks of this incredible vineyard. The tannins are exceptional. Dry and savoury, it keeps on changing – this is something special.' – James Pietersen, September 2026

ANALYSIS: ALC 12.7% | TA 4.7g/L | pH 3.67 | RS 1.5g/L