Stellenbosch WO Syrah 2013 by Jasper Raats

Paul Caputo

Mar 2, 2016 — 1 min read

A few notes on a very honest and hard to find authentic wine from South Africa's Stellenbosch region -

This 2013 Syrah is produced at the acclaimed Longridge estate and produced under the personal guidance of acclaimed winemaker Jasper Raats. It is labelled under his signature collection.

Longridge make up part of a growing crop of boutique wineries producing exceptional terroir driven wines and this is no different, utilising a range biodynamic viticultural techniques and preferring minimum cellar intervention.

A long growing season and plenty of cooling breezes at night (from the Helderberg Mountains) ensure a balanced, phenolically ripe wine with character and personality.

Packed with abundant black fruit, chocolate and distinctive aromas of coffee, this boasts plenty of weight, power and complexity.

Stellenbosch WO 'Driefontmein' 2013 by Jasper Raats (Stellenbosch, South Africa) A sumptuously hedonistic crimson colour sets up powerful aromas of concentrated plum, blackcurrant, chocolate and coffee. In the mouth it is full bodied, elegant and finishes with a velvety smooth trail of lingering seductive fruit compote.

🍇 Grape guide: Ciliegiolo

Ciliegiolo is a very old red grape variety grown in central Italy, most notably in Tuscany. For a long time it was used as a blending variety in the two Chianti appellations, but there is now a growing list of mono-varietal wines produced exclusively from Ciliegiolo, particularly close to the

💯 Tasting: The Historical SuperTuscans

Earlier this year, I attended a rare tasting of wines from members of the Association of Historical SuperTuscans. Predominantly hailing from the 2016 vintage, these were a joy to taste and and a reminder that they remain some of the finest wines in the world. As Tuscany’s wine scene

🇬🇪 Reflections on the Gurjaani Wine Festival

It’s mid afternoon in Eastern Georgia and an October sun loiters in the boundless blue sky. A shimmering heat haze lingers over the Alazani river plain, distorting the vast snow capped profile of the Caucusses. We’re just over 100km from Tbilisi, in the Kakheti region’s principle winemaking

💯🌋 Tasting report: Etna Bianco

Etna’s evocative landscapes conjure thoughts of vibrant wines that bristle with energy, tart fruit and fiery acidity. The territory is in vogue right now and even with rapidly rising prices the wines are an easy sell. Reds from Nerello Mascalese have driven the recent renaissance, but I predict it

Read more

🍇 Grape guide: Ciliegiolo

💯 Tasting: The Historical SuperTuscans

🇬🇪 Reflections on the Gurjaani Wine Festival

💯🌋 Tasting report: Etna Bianco