Pour this and the first thing that hits you is perfume. Violets, crushed black pepper, a tumble of dark berries. It's a South African Syrah with energy and a savoury, almost peppery edge, the kind of red that wakes up your dinner instead of sitting heavy on it. Grab it for a slow nyama choma night when you want something that tastes like someone actually cared how it was made.
Big lift on the nose: violets, bramble and a real crack of black pepper. Then the fruit rolls in, blueberry and black cherry, more crunchy than jammy. Underneath there's the fun savoury stuff that makes Syrah lovers go quiet: black olive, clove, a salty liquorice note, a whisper of cured meat. It's medium-bodied with bright acidity and fine, grippy tannins from the stems, so it stays fresh and lively right to the last sip rather than going soft and sweet.
The details
Pairs well with
Where it's from
Gabrielskloof sits on the windswept hills of Bot River, just inland from Walker Bay on South Africa's cool southern coast. Cold Atlantic winds stress the vines and stretch the growing season, which is exactly why the fruit comes out so concentrated and fresh. Winemaker Peter-Allan Finlayson is the one who leans into whole-bunch fermentation here, throwing in whole clusters, stems and all, for about ten days to chase that perfume and pepper. The land was sheep pasture and wheat fields until Bernhard Heyns planted vines in 2001.
Good to know
- What is the price of Gabrielskloof Whole Bunch Syrah?
Gabrielskloof Whole Bunch Syrah is KSh 2,659 at Oaks & Corks. Order online for fast delivery across Nairobi, usually within the hour, or next day countrywide.
- What does Gabrielskloof Whole Bunch Syrah 75cl taste like?
Perfumed and savoury. Violets, black pepper and dark berries up front, then black olive, clove and salty liquorice underneath. Medium-bodied, fresh and peppery rather than heavy or sweet.
- What is the ABV of Gabrielskloof Whole Bunch Syrah?
It's 14.5% ABV, in a standard 750ml bottle.
- How do I serve it?
Lightly chilled, around 16 to 18C, in a big bowled glass. A quick 20 minutes in the fridge is perfect. No decanting needed, but a little air helps it open up.
- What food pairs with it?
Anything off the grill. Nyama choma, lamb chops, peppered steak, smoky boerewors. The savoury, peppery side loves charred meat and earthy dishes.
- Where is it from?
Bot River, near Walker Bay on the cool South African coast, made at Gabrielskloof by winemaker Peter-Allan Finlayson.
- What does 'whole bunch' mean?
It means the grapes go into the tank as whole clusters, stems included, instead of being de-stemmed. Those stems add freshness, structure and that lovely peppery perfume.
Gabrielskloof Whole Bunch Syrah
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Gabrielskloof Whole Bunch Syrah price in Kenya
Buy Gabrielskloof Whole Bunch Syrah online in Nairobi, Kenya for KSh 2,659. Order now for fast delivery across Nairobi — usually within 30 minutes — or next-day delivery countrywide.