🏰 The 2022 vintage was a 'crazy year' for Porseleinberg, marked by abundant winter rain and one of the hottest Januaries ever. Winemaker Callie Louw describes it as 'stress maturing,' resulting in a bigger, more muscular fruit profile with open-knit tannins. Despite the heat, the alcohol content is low at 13.3%, the lowest ever from this site. The wine was macerated with a submerged cap technique and aged 85% in foudres (new ones used for the first time) and 15% in concrete vats. Porseleinberg is a single, north-facing vineyard in Swartland, known for its shallow, stony soils over decomposed granite and schist, with a focus on low yields. 【 World-class Syrah from a brutal site 】 This Syrah exhibits a mid-deep ruby color with an open, expressive, and complex nose. Fragrant notes of garrigue, sage, rosemary, and thyme intertwine with red cherry, berry fruit, and a hint of dried flowers. The palate is expressive and precise, with a wild edge of fruit and herb, spicy, complex, and satiny on entry. Purity of mid-palate fruit is matched by spice, herb, and iron-like layers, supported by chalky tannins that reflect its terroir. It offers extra smokiness, spice, green-olive, rosemary, iron, and brambleberry aromas. The wine is medium-bodied with firm tannins, more structured than the 2021, and a long, precise finish. 🥂 Drinking the 2022 now is premature as it's still shy and restrained. It will require five or six years in bottle and is suitable for medium to long-term cellaring, capable of developing complexity over 8–12 years. An outstanding wine that will improve for over a decade. Ideal for collectors or special occasions. 🍴 Excellent with grilled lamb, venison, rich stews, barbecued ribs, and hard, aged cheeses. Mediterranean-inspired dishes with herbs like rosemary and thyme would also be a great match.