Boekenhoutskloof Syrah 2015
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Jeb
Dunnuck -
Wine
Enthusiast
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Winemaker Notes
The brooding sous bois character of the nose is complemented by an abundance of dark berry fruit and violets. Beautiful floral aromas follow through onto the palate with intense spice, liquorice and dark plum. The wine is meaty and Rhone-like in style on the mid-palate with integrated acidity and fine, vibrant tannins to balance, offering great ageability. The peppery finish is long with hints of cloves, fennel and aniseed.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2015 Syrah (100% Syrah) comes from the Porseleinberg and Goldmine Vineyards and is partially destemmed and aged 18 months in 500- and 600-liter barrels. It offers a beautiful bouquet of blueberries, violets, crushed rocks and pepper to go with a medium to full-bodied, voluptuous, yet elegant style on the palate. With sweet tannin, beautiful purity of fruit, and a great finish, it’s another sensational Syrah from winemaker Marc Kent. It’s certainly not far behind the more expensive Porseleinberg Syrah, has incredible character, and will drink nicely for at least a decade.
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Wine Enthusiast
There's good concentration to the nose of this wine, which for the first time carries a Swartland appellation as the fruit is sourced from the winery's two properties there, Porseleinberg and Goldmine. Medium-intense aromas of black plum, cherry and fig paste are hit by notes of licorice, black tea and peppercorn. The palate is plush, with a pleasant tannic grip that frames the robust black-fruit flavors. Lingering sensations of brambly berry, tilled earth, olive tapenade and a touch of cocoa seal the deal. Drink 2021–2025.
Other Vintages
2016-
Robert
Parker
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Wine
Spectator -
Robert
Parker
- Decanter
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Wine
Spectator
Boekenhoutskloof was established in 1776. Located in the furthest corner of the beautiful Franschhoek Valley, the farm’s name means “ravine of the Boekenhout” (pronounced Bookn-Howed). The Boekenhout is an indigenous Cape Beech tree greatly prized for furniture making. In 1993 the farm and homestead was bought and restored and a new vineyard planting program was established that now includes Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Semillon, and Viognier. Today, Marc Kent is the owner, chief winemaker, and driving force behind the dynamic farm.
The Story of the Seven Chairs
The Boekenhout is an indigenous Cape Beech tree greatly prized for making fine furniture. The Boekenhoutskloof label features seven chairs; amongst them the country-style split splat chair made in the neo-classical style with a shouldered top rail and the thonged seat from the late 18th century. Then there’s the Sandveld chair that has two back rails and a thonged seat which made its appearance in the second quarter of the 19th century. The transitional Tulbagh chair was made in the late 18th century; it has a plain back and a shaped top rail with half-round opening. The chairs on the wine labels all pay tribute to the skills of the 18th century craftsmen and their achievements in creating beauty from natural sources, just like the pursuit of fine winemaking.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
Originally named Franschhoek meaning the “French Corner” because it was home to the influx of French Huguenots, today the valley contains many historic cellars and is an important tourist location because of its proximity to Cape Town.
This valley falls to the southeast of Paarl and is enclosed on three sides by towering mountains. Streams from the slopes flow down to the valley floor, converging to form the Berg River. The area excels in the production of full-bodied reds.