2008 The Foundry Syrah (Stellenbosch)

Chris Williams told me that the 2008 Syrah had some uneven fruit and so the vinification was treated much more cautiously, almost Burgundian in style, and that subsequently he has made his Syrah in the same way. It has a bulbous bouquet with lush cranberry, raspberry, Provencal herbs and gravelly scents that take a few swirls to lose their feistiness. The palate is soft and fleshy on the opening. There is plenty of dusky, mocha-tinged black fruit here and the rounded, earthy finish has a softness and plumpness that belies the structure underneath. This is very fine. Drink now-2018. 89 points