Red 2022 Porseleinberg

Professional reviews

Robert Parker (94)

The Porseleinberg 2022 Swartland Syrah shows extra smokiness and spice. New foudre were delivered and were used for the first time in this wine. Rain was abundant at 470 milliliters (the average in these parts is 450 milliliters), and the alcohol is low at 13.3%. Drinking the 2022 now is premature, as the wine is still quite shy and restrained. A challenging ripening phase was followed by prolonged heat in January and big diurnal temperature shifts. Winemaker Callie Louw calls it "stress maturing," which results in a bigger, more muscular fruit profile with open-knit tannins and abundant fruit. Callie Louw puts a priority on exposing the character of a vintage. All man-made variables remain constant. The DNA of this particular site is reflected in the tannins of the wine. They are chalky and elegant.

James Suckling (95)

This is wild and savory, full of green-olive, rosemary, iron and brambleberry aromas. Then super silky and elegant on the medium-bodied palate with lightly peppery, fine tannins. Salty and herbal freshness throughout. A little less concentrated than the 2021, very fresh and already drinkable, but classy and full of character nonetheless from a difficult vintage.