ALTHOUGH they make some of the good Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc for which Elgin is famous, Almenkerk Estate in the middle of the valley is more renowned among some wine lovers for their reds – and we’re not talking Pinot Noir, for which the area is also well known. The Belgian/Dutch Van Almenkerk family is one of just two producers in the district whose Shiraz qualified for the SA Wine Classification and the team has been producing lovely examples from this variety for longer than anybody else in the valley.

Since the 2010 which first earned gold and silver accolades for Almenkerk Syrah, every vintage has impressed panels of critics locally and around the world, culminating with a trophy for the 2015 at the international Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. The Merlot has plenty of fans too, and the Vineyard Selection under the second-tier label, Lace, has to be the best value-for-money red blend from Elgin these days.

ALMENKERK SYRAH 2015
WO Elgin. Single-vineyard wine. 10-year-old vines. Cool vintage. Hand-picked and hand-sorted in the vineyard and in the cellar. Some Viognier included. Partial whole-bunch fermentation. Natural yeasts. Secondary/malolactic fermentation in French oak barriques (225L) where the wine is matured for 18 months. Only 3000 bottles.
Alc 14.2 | RS 2.8 | TA 5.4 | pH 3.6
Producers’ Tasting Notes: a savoury, meaty Syrah with intense fruit aromas – upfront nose of blackberry and blackcurrant – and hints of violet and aniseed; a freshness; fine tannins and minerality; lingering finish. Ready on release and will benefit from further ageing up to 10 years [until 2027]. Pairs well with red meats, reduction sauces and refined stews.
R240pb from the cellar.