Boschkloof 'Kottabos' Grenache Syrah Stellenbosch 2021

The Borman family established Boschkloof Wines in 1996 in the rolling hills of Stellenbosch, set against the dramatic mountain backdrop this part of South Africa is famed for. The estate is named after the natural ravine (“kloof”) on the property. The name of this blend, ‘Kottabos’, refers to a Greek drinking game that involves throwing the lees (yeast residue) from unfiltered wines at targets. An experiment of sorts by winemaker Reenan Borman, it combines two thirds grenache and one third syrah from the granitic soils of the Skilpadvlei Vineyard, near the Boschkloof estate. The harvests of the two grapes were fermented separately, all whole-cluster; the grenache aged in French puncheons, while the syrah sat in concrete. Bottled without fining or filtration after 11 months, it received only a minimal addition of SO2. A very pretty wine, floral and smooth, it is packed with red raspberry and plum, with a turn of fresh pepper at the finish. Organically grown, low-intervention/natural wine.