PRODUCED at Koos Bekker's estate in Paarl using grapes from the farm's vineyards below the Simonsberg, Babylonstoren Shiraz has been one of South Africa's most highly rated expressions of the variety over the past 10 years. Voted among the Top 10 wines at the 2025 edition of the international Syrah du Monde competition in the Rhône, France, the 2022 vintage from winemaker Klaas Stoffberg and cellarmaster Charl Coetzee is the latest to receive a glowing review – the 2021 vintage achieved 95 points at the 2024 International Wine Challenge and a gold medallist at the 2024 Syrah du Monde, the 2019 vintage scored 95 at the Decanter World Wine Awards in 2022, the 2018 vintage highly praised in 2020 at the Shiraz SA Challenge (Top 12), Decanter Awards (96/100) and International Wine Challenge (gold), etc.
BABYLONSTOREN SHIRAZ 2022
WO Simonsberg-Paarl. Fermentation on the grape skins lasted about seven days and the wine was left in contact with the skins for a maceration period lasting another week or so. Malolactic fermentation took place in 300L French oak barrels (50% new, 50% second-fill), after which the wine was racked and then returned to the barrels – a total of 18 months in wood.
Alc 14.5 | RS 3.6 | TA 6.0 | pH 3.7
From the Producer's Tasting Notes: Deep ruby red. Silky, dark-fruited and full-bodied bouquet with layers of blackcurrant, new leather, wood spice and white pepper. Chocolate on the palate – a balance between intensity and finesse. Can be enjoyed from the year of release, with an ageing potential of up to 10 years.
Serving Temperature: 16° to 18°C.
Pairing Suggestions: venison bourguignon, ribeye steak with black pepper sauce, duck breast with beetroot risotto, baked ham with char-grilled fruit.
R375pb ex-cellar.
