2022 Porseleinberg

Within the world of ultra-exclusive Syrah, Porseleinberg is a rising star. The ratings for the 2018 vintage (100 points for Tim Atkin, 95 points for Robert Parker) heralded a new chapter for winemaker Callie Louw and his unique wine. The Porseleinberg hillside is located in the Swartland region, southeast of Riebeek-Kasteel. The soil of the hillside consists of blue schist, and due to the absence of a topsoil, the vines grow directly on the bedrock. It is an extreme terroir far from civilization, which suits the winemaker and his story.

Callie Louw is a classic vigneron: he lives on his land among the grapes, from which he makes wine. What's special is that he makes only one wine; he won't be distracted. His terroir philosophy leans towards that of the non-interventionists: his wines are an expression of time and place, and the vinification process is (almost) the same every year, so that the character of the vintage is fully expressed. Whole bunches from the oldest vines are picked at peak ripeness, then trampled and fermented using submerged cap fermentation (where the skins are constantly submerged). Callie uses pump-overs minimally, instead allowing the wine to rest as much as possible in a 2500-liter foudre and a few Nomblot eggs.

The resulting wine is often compared in structure and character to its finest counterparts from the Northern Rhône. Thanks to his increased knowledge of his terroir, Callie has managed to leave behind the power and structure of his earlier wines and find a balance between elegance and refinement. The 2022 has received excellent reviews from the international press, earning it 99 points as "Red Wine of the Year" from Tim Atkin, and Callie Louw as "Winemaker of the Year." Platter also awarded it 5 stars!