Grape Varieties:
Shiraz (100%)
In the Vineyard:
Syrah or Shiraz is the work horse Red varietal in the Boschendal range and the Grande Syrah epitomises the best of what we can do with Syrah. It comes from a very special vineyard of weathered granite soils on the south-facing slopes farmed for seriously premium quality grapes, which includes amongst others a strict pruning regime and bunch removal to ensure that only the finest grapes are selected for vinification.
Winemaking Method and Maturation:
For the Grande Syrah, the grapes are meticulously hand-picked and carefully hand-sorted upon arrival at the cellar. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel tanks, utilizing a specially selected yeast strain, with temperatures maintained between 24-26°C. During the peak of fermentation, pump-overs are performed every 8 hours to ensure the elegant extraction of tannins and color. The Grande Syrah is aged for 12 months in 500L French oak barrels, ranging from first to Fourth fill (30% new, 30% second fill, and 30% third fill and 10% fourth fill). After this, the best barrels are selected and blended in a 2500L foudre, where the wine ages and integrates for an additional 6 months. The final product is bottled unfiltered directly from the Foudre.
Wine Tasting Notes:
On colour
In the glass the Boschendal Heritage Collection Grande Syrah 2021 shows a brilliant deep crimson core with a vivid, youthful purple rim, indicating both concentration and its relatively primary stage. The intensity and clarity of colour point to ripe, selected fruit and careful extraction, in line with its positioning at the pinnacle of Boschendal’s range.
On the nose
The nose is immediately expressive with lifted exotic dark fruit and spice, showing notes of blackberry and plum interwoven with sweet oak spice. A typical cool‑climate Syrah pepper character comes through clearly, adding a savoury, aromatic edge to the rich fruit and hinting at underlying complexity.
On the palate
On the palate the wine is dry, full‑bodied and youthful, combining juicy, pure Syrah fruit with fresh acidity and finely structured tannins that are already well knit but still energetic. Flavours echo the nose with dark berry fruit, persistent black pepper and layered oak spice, the seamless integration of oak tannin adding depth and length while retaining an overall sense of restrained, almost Old‑World elegance.
On the whole
A vividly spiced, dark‑fruited and elegantly structured Stellenbosch Syrah that balances juicy purity with polished, integrated oak.
Aging Potential:
8-12 years
| Alcohol |
14.3% |
| Residual sugar |
2.8g/l |
| Acidity |
6.07g/l |
|
Ph Level
|
3.47 |
| Wine of Origin |
Stellenbosch |
| Producer |
Boschendal |
