Damascene 6-Piece Tasting Set

One winery, three Syrah regions, six wines

Damascene is one of the most exciting new names at the Cape. Behind the project are winemaker Jean Smit, formerly cellar master at Boekenhoutskloof, and David Curl, the former owner of Château Gaby in Canon-Fronsac. The name refers to a "Damascus moment," a sudden epiphany. Since 2017, the two have been searching for extraordinary, old vineyards throughout the Western Cape and vinifying them with spontaneous fermentation, high whole-bunch inclusion, and large Austrian oak barrels. The centerpiece of this set is a Syrah comparison from three regions: Stellenbosch, Swartland, and the Ceres Plateau in the Cederberg mountains, situated at an altitude of over 1,000 meters. This is complemented by an Old Vine Chenin, a Cabernet Franc, and a Cabernet Sauvignon from Stellenbosch. A set for anyone who wants to get to know a new-generation winemaker in all his breadth.

The six bottles in the set

• Damascene Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 From vineyard sites in Vlottenburg and the cooler part of the Helderberg. Cassis, black cherry, graphite, and floral notes; precise, fresh, and finely structured.
• Damascene Cabernet Franc 2020 From two hillside sites in the Bottelary Hills on extremely poor, weathered granite. Red and black berries, herbs, potpourri, fennel, and cedar wood; pure and elegant with juicy acidity. Vinous 93 points.
• Damascene Old Vine Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch 2022 A blend of three old bush vine sites in the Bottelary Hills, planted between 1972 and 1982 on greywacke, shale, and granite. Yellow plum, nectarine, peach skin, and a hint of red fruit; increasingly mineral, with a salty finish. Vinous 94 points.
• Damascene Syrah Stellenbosch 2020 From sites in Bottelary, Devon Valley, and the Polkadraai Hills. Red and black berries, orange peel, floral perfume, fynbos, charcuterie, and white pepper; expressive and silky.
• Damascene Syrah Cederberg 2020 From a vineyard on Bokkeveld shale at Witzenberg, high up on the Ceres Plateau. Blue and black berries, blueberry crumble, and grey shale minerality; firmer and darker than the other two Syrahs, with the purity of high altitudes.
• Damascene Syrah Swartland 2020 From three Swartland vineyards at different altitudes, on granite, shale, and Malmesbury shale. Red and black berries, licorice, fynbos, pepper, and a touch of smoke, with chalky tannins and vibrant freshness.

At a glance: 6 bottles of 0.75 l each, five red wines and one white wine, South Africa, dry. Best to serve the red wines at 16 to 18 degrees Celsius and the Chenin Blanc at 10 to 12 degrees Celsius.

Vinification

• Damascene Cabernet Sauvignon 2021: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, around 75% from Vlottenburg and 25% from the Helderberg. Hand-harvested, destemmed and moved by gravity into tulip-shaped concrete fermenters, short cold maceration and spontaneous fermentation. First year in barriques, second year in large Austrian oak foudres. Stellenbosch.
• Damascene Cabernet Franc 2020: 100% Cabernet Franc from east-facing slopes on weathered granite. Hand-harvested, destemmed, spontaneous fermentation. 11 months in 1,000-liter Austrian oak foudres. Stellenbosch (Bottelary).
• Damascene Old Vine Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch 2022: 100% Chenin Blanc from the Sonop (1982, shale), Houmoed (1972, greywacke), and Mooiplaas (1981, granite) vineyards. Hand-harvested, whole-bunch pressed, each site fermented and matured separately in oval Austrian oak foudres. Stellenbosch (Bottelary).
• Damascene Syrah Stellenbosch 2020: 100% Syrah from three sites. Many small fermentation batches with 50 to 100% whole bunches, spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts. Matured in large Austrian oak barrels, unfined. Stellenbosch.
• Damascene Syrah Cederberg 2020: 100% Syrah from a vineyard at over 1,000 m a.s.l. 30 to 60% whole bunches depending on the batch, spontaneous fermentation. WO Cederberg (Ceres Plateau).
• Damascene Syrah Swartland 2020: 100% Syrah from three vineyards. Spontaneous fermentation in open vats with 50 to 75% whole bunches. 11 months in Austrian oak foudres. Swartland.

Pairs well with: Rack of lamb, saddle of venison, game dishes, beef fillet, duck breast, braised lamb with herbs, mushroom dishes, grilled fish and scallops for the Chenin, aged hard cheese, and evenings where wine is the center of attention.