South African Shiraz
The best Shiraz Wines
Greg Sherwood MW, Daniel Grigg and Roger Jones tasted 137 wines, of which 11 were outstanding and 75 were highly recommended. Today we present to you the best Shiraz/Syrah according to Decanter.
“A great success, with a high proportion of wines scoring 90 points or more – all around the regions, a wide range of styles showing character and value,” Sherwood wrote in his July article.
With impressive examples produced in almost every corner of the Cape at various price points, Shiraz is one of South Africa's strongest weapons in competing with other New World wine competitors.
In this impressive two-day tasting, the vast majority of wines demonstrated what all three judges believe is the driving force behind the rise in both the quality and global perception of South African wines in general.
Namely, the courage and determination of winemakers to make the wines they want to make, rather than what is expected of them. Had this, for example, been an Australian Shiraz tasting, we would have wondered if we would have seen such a wealth of wine styles.
While some producers appeared to use new oak to distract from a lack of substance, Daniel Grigg highlighted other wines where it was used to great effect, conveying a sense of gravitas and highlighting the varietal identity and purity of the grape's fruit.
With South Africa's climate closer to New Zealand's Hawke’s Bay than South Australia's Barossa Valley, Roger Jones expected these Shiraz wines to reflect the Kiwi style, with lower alcohol and more subtle fruit profiles.
Regional differences played a role – both climate and terroir have an influence in South Africa – but Jones saw a real restraint and a move towards refinement across the board. For him, it was the winemaker and/or vineyard management that made the biggest difference.
Regarding vintage variations, Jones felt that the 2019 wines performed best – which is perhaps not surprising given the drought that prevailed from 2016 to 2018. He highlighted Stellenbosch as the most consistent vintage: the 2019s are racy and bright, the 2018s still somewhat linear and restrained, and the 2017s more spicy and meaty.
The 2019 red wines from Swartland are refined and elegant and need at least another decade to fully develop their great quality.
The 2019s from Paarl show more chocolate and plum character, while the Robertson wines are dark-fruited, plummy and rich.
Further south, in Elgin and surrounds, a fragrant, elegant cool-climate precision was evident, while Franschhoek showed nuances of liquorice and exotic spices.
It was also pleasing to see smaller regions like Cederberg make an impressive contribution.
Prices are not disclosed to the judges at Decanter tastings, but South Africa offers amazing value for Shiraz lovers. And not just for immediate enjoyment – many of these Cape classics will reward your patience after a decade in the bottle.
Throughout the tasting, we could feel the winemaker's confidence. There were very few attempts to reproduce a wine in the style of a Barossa Shiraz or a Northern Rhône Syrah. Instead, the wines reflected their South African terroir, celebrating the country's rich winemaking heritage and promising that even better is yet to come.
Vintage 2020
92 Points by Decanter
BEST HIT
RALL WINES
Ava Shiraz – 2019
CHF 99.00
5 Stars by Platter’s
Exotic nose of cola, blueberries, sweet flowers, barley sugar and red fruits. Delicate tannins on the palate, with a beautiful, lively finish.
Killer Deal – from 6 bottles
KLEINE ZALZE
Vineyard Selection – Shiraz – 2018
CHF 15.90 instead of CHF 22.00
95 Points by Decanter
The modern Kleine Zalze winery was founded in 1996, although wine has been produced on this estate since 1695. Kobus Basson and his family acquired the estate, improving and developing it. Most of the fruit for this wine comes from their own property, with some selected parcels from others.
Vintage 2020
95 Points by Decanter
BEST HIT
VAN LOGGERENBERG
Graft Syrah – 2018
CHF 44.00
94 Points by Tim Atkin
Lukas van Loggerenberg gained experience in the Finger Lakes in New York State as well as in France and South Africa before starting his own project in 2015 after a trip to France. The grapes for Graft come from the Polkadraai Hills vineyard, and the must is 100% spontaneously fermented.
Porcupine Ridge
Shiraz – 2020
CHF 15.90
94 Points by Decanter
Lively on the palate, with spicy aromas with juicy and stemmy notes, grilled meat and herbs, with dark plum notes. Lush and complex on the palate.
Vintage 2019
94 Points by Decanter
BEST HIT
Promotion
MULLINEUX
Granite Syrah – 2018
CHF 109.00 instead of 119.00
5 Stars by Platter’s
Opulent and charming bouquet with aromas of blackberries, blackcurrants, fynbos and tea, with hints of salt and wild herbs. Meaty on the palate with tangy, bright acidity. Elegant.
Promotion
KERSHAW
Clonal Selection – Shiraz – 2017
CHF 39.90 instead of 54.90
94 Points by Decanter
Expressive nose with aromas of blueberries, blackcurrants, coffee, vanilla and violets. Tangy and fresh on the palate, with silky, creamy tannins. Generous finish
Vintage 2017
94 Points by Decanter
BEST HIT
Promotion
KERSHAW
Klein River – GPS Syrah – 2016
CHF 49.00
92 Points by Tim Atkin
Creamy aromas of coffee, cola, caramelized blackberries and delicate citrus notes. Soft and supple on the palate, with a generous fruitiness and great harmony.
Killer Deal – from 6 bottles
BOEKENHOUTSKLOOF
Shiraz – 2019
CHF 43.90 instead of 59.00
93 Points by Decanter
Magnificent classic aromas of blackberries, juicy spices, grilled herbs and meaty nuances. On the palate, it is fresh, wonderfully balanced and elegant, with a tangy acidity
Promotion
GABRIELSKLOOF
Syrah on Sandstone – 2019
CHF 31.20 instead of 39.90
95 Points by Tim Atkin
Soft nose of gunpowder, blackberries, graphite and peppery spices with a hint of cedar and violets. Dense and meaty, showing power and muscle.
Killer Deal – from 6 bottles
DAMASCENE
Shiraz Swartland – 2020
CHF 36.90 instead of 49.00
92 Points by Decanter
On the nose, aromas of black and red berries, with undertones of liquorice and oyster shells. Chalky tannins, lively and minty finish
MULLINEUX
Schist Roundstone Syrah – 2019
CHF 139.00
92 Points by Decanter
Seductively perfumed nose with aromas of Black Forest gateau, black olives, cocoa, violets and rose petals. Chalky, dry on the palate with fine-grained tannins.
Vintage 2018
92 Points by Decanter
BEST HIT
Promotion
MULLINEUX
Shiraz – 2017
CHF 34.90 instead of 39.00
93 Points by Tim Atkin
Cool and noble, with racy dark and red fruits, salty and piquant notes. Fine-grained tannins on the palate. Elegant, long-lasting finish
Killer Deal – from 6 bottles
CEDERBERG
Shiraz – 2018
CHF 22.00 instead of 32.50
92 Points by Decanter
Juicy aromas of redcurrants with notes of blueberries and hints of stony mineral nuances and tapenade. Focused and savoury on the palate.
Killer Deal – from 6 bottles
DAMASCENE
Shiraz Swartland – 2020
CHF 36.90 instead of 49.00
93 Points by Tim Atkin
Cool and noble, with racy dark and red fruits, salty and piquant notes. Fine-grained tannins on the palate. Elegant, long-lasting finish
Promotion
UVA MIRA
D.W. Shiraz Stellenbosch – 2017
CHF 49.00 instead of 59.00
92 Points by Decanter
Rich, dark-fruited nose with aromas of grilled meat, black olives and juicy black plums. Reserved on the palate, with supple tannins. Bombastic finish.
Killer Deal – from 6 bottles
DAMASCENE
Shiraz Stellenbosch – 2020
CHF 36.90 instead of 49.00
93 Points by Tim Atkin
Exquisite, subtle aromas of cocoa, sweet cola, garrigue and spicy blackcurrants. Very refined on the palate, with soft and silky tannins. Long-lasting and spicy finish.
All prices in CHF incl. VAT. Daily price from 14.11.2022.
Offers valid while stocks last. Errors and price changes reserved.
