Banele has made Syrah under the Tembela label for five years. Since 2022 the blend is dominated by Karibib Vineyard (the same site behind several notable Syrahs), with 20% from Jakkalsfontein on the Paardeberg (Swartland). The Polkadraai Hills’ sandy, decomposed-granite soils lend minerality and freshness; 2024 delivered excellent color extraction, producing Banele’s darkest Syrah to date.

The watercolor label honors his mother, Tembela, who appears in the foreground carrying a basket; a second woman in the background symbolizes community and a sense of place.

The grapes were harvested on separate days and brought back to the Savage Wines cellar where Banele vinifies his wines in Salt River. This year, 80% of the clusters were left in tact and the remainder were destemmed. About two punchdowns per day were made during fermentation in open-top fermenters, and when that was finished after about 10 days, the wine was transferred to old 500L barrels and left to mature for 10 months. It was then bottled after passing through a sheet filer and getting just a touch of sulfur. No fining.

This is the same site that wines like Lukas van Loggerenberg’s ‘Graft’ Syrah and Reenen Borman’s ‘Sons of Sugarland’ Syrah come from. 

Grapes from the lower part of the Karibib farm supply the core of this superb new Syrah, blended with a 20% component from Jakkalsfontein in the Swartland. The best release yet from Banele Vakele, it was fermented with 80% whole bunches and is correspondingly spicy and perfumed, all iron, cooked meat, lavender, blackberry and granitic intensity complemented by savoury tannins and a touch of oak spice. – Tim Atkin, 94

ANALYSIS: ALC 14% | TA 4.8g/l | pH 3.60 | RS 2g/l