2022 Syrah on Shale Walker Bay, Gabriëlskloof

• Style: Savory, violet-scented cool-climate Syrah
• Taste: Dark berries, white pepper, black olive, bright acidity, silky tannins
• Food: Grilled beef, braised meat, barbecued chicken, aged cheese
• Occasion: Sunday lunch, date night, fireside evening
• Serve: 14% ABV, bone-dry, chill to 16–18°C

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Violet and white pepper open into dark berries with a subtle black olive note, speaking to cool-climate Syrah at its finest. The palate is textured and alive: firm acidity carries bright plum and blackberry depth, while tannins feel knitted together rather than sharp, finishing long and mineral-driven. A wine that wants to be drunk, not admired from a distance.

The Winery — Gabriëlskloof

Gabriëlskloof sits in the Overberg region east of Cape Town, where Bernhard Heyns planted vines after acquiring the estate in 2001. Winemaker Peter-Allan Finlayson, who took over from the 2015 vintage, now serves as Cellar Master and oversees the property. The vineyard—a single shale-based block on high-clay soils—faces relentless south-easterly winds off the Atlantic, stressing the vines into concentration. For the 2022 vintage, Finlayson hand-picked fruit at night and split the parcel between destemmed and whole-bunch to balance refinement and structure. The wine aged 14 months in French oak (second and third fill), adding layer without masking the vineyard's voice. The cooler 2022 season allowed grapes to develop concentrated flavour while retaining fresh acidity and perfumed aromatics. The estate farms sustainably with plans to move toward organic certification.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

At 14% ABV with bone-dry character, this is a food-friendly red that shines alongside grilled beef, braised meat, barbecued chicken, and aged hard cheeses. Its mineral finish and textured tannins make it equally at home at Sunday lunch or a more intimate date night. One of the finest examples of Walker Bay Syrah, this wine sits comfortably within the broader South Africa collection and among our full-bodied red wine selections. Vegetarian and vegan friendly, it rewards a slight chill and pairs with fire-side evenings as readily as it does the dinner table.