2020 Syrah on Sandstone Bot River, Gabriëlskloof

• Style: Cool-climate Syrah, savoury and structured
• Taste: Fynbos, violet, crushed black pepper, fine tannins
• Food: Grilled beef, aged cheese, braised dishes, roasted poultry
• Occasion: Sunday lunch, date night, special dinners
• Serve: 16–18°C, now through 2028

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

This is a wine built for the table: savoury fynbos and tomato-leaf aromatics wrapped around violet and crushed black pepper, with a density and fine-grained tannin structure that speaks to careful extraction and thoughtful oak ageing. The acidity is vivid without being sharp, the alcohol settled at a balanced 14.5%. This is serious without being heavy.

The Winery — Gabriëlskloof

Bernhard Heyns' estate in the Overberg, east of Cape Town, came to life in 2009 when his first vines were planted. Since the 2015 vintage, winemaker Peter-Allan Finlayson has steered the property as Cellar Master, overseeing both the vineyards and cellar. Across 68 planted hectares, the farm practises sustainable viticulture with full-time consultant Rosa Kruger, moving toward organic certification. The 2020 Sandstone vineyard fruit was hand-picked and whole-bunch fermented with indigenous yeasts, then aged eighteen months in 500-litre French oak — every choice designed to let the Bot River terroir speak rather than impose a winemaking style. Slow ripening through a dry South African summer created small, concentrated berries; harvest came early enough to preserve the lifted aromatics and fresh acidity that define cool-climate reds.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

Pair this confidently with grilled beef — the wine's spicy framework and structured tannins are made for char and smoke. It's equally at home with aged hard cheeses, braised beef dishes, or roasted poultry with dark skin. Whether you're exploring Syrah & Shiraz or looking for something special to accompany a Sunday roast or date night, this is one of the finest expressions we've found. It sits comfortably alongside the rest of our selection from South Africa's coastal wards. The wine is vegan-friendly and vegetarian. Drink now through 2028 for maximum pleasure.