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Swartland Damascene Syrah 2022
13%
0.75L
Intensity
This Syrah cuvée is a journey to the heart of the South-African terroir, capturing a perfect balance between fruity character and masterfully balanced tannins.
More infoThis Syrah cuvée, produced by winemaker Jean Smit, is an inspired homage to the unique terroir of Swartland, located in South Africa’s Western Cape Province. Made using a grape variety grown in three different locations, this cuvée draws its richness from the ancient soils composed of granite, shale and ferric.
The vinification process reflects a commitment to the authentic expression of terroir. Fermentation is done with whole bunches, using between 60 and 75% of the grapes according to the parcel, and it is carried out using tulip-shaped concrete vats and cone-shaped vats. Pumping over is limited to ensure that the aromas are delicately extracted.
After 11 months of ageing in 2000-litre Austrian oak barrels, the wine is bottled without fining to preserve its authenticity. On the nose, its impressive aromatic depth reveals notes of wild blackberries, liquorice and ripe black fruits. On the palate, the fruity balance alongside closed and tight tannins offer a delightful and well-rounded experience.
Lot presentation
Swartland Damascene Syrah 2022
The wine
This Syrah cuvée, produced by winemaker Jean Smit, is an inspired homage to the unique terroir of Swartland, located in South Africa’s Western Cape Province. Made using a grape variety grown in three different locations, this cuvée draws its richness from the ancient soils composed of granite, shale and ferric.
The vinification process reflects a commitment to the authentic expression of terroir. Fermentation is done with whole bunches, using between 60 and 75% of the grapes according to the parcel, and it is carried out using tulip-shaped concrete vats and cone-shaped vats. Pumping over is limited to ensure that the aromas are delicately extracted.
After 11 months of ageing in 2000-litre Austrian oak barrels, the wine is bottled without fining to preserve its authenticity. On the nose, its impressive aromatic depth reveals notes of wild blackberries, liquorice and ripe black fruits. On the palate, the fruity balance alongside closed and tight tannins offer a delightful and well-rounded experience.
About the Producer Damascene
A passionate and particularly dynamic winemaker, Jean Smit worked at Rustenberg and Boekenhoutskloof in South Africa, following his experience with prestigious wineries in California and in the iconic vineyards of Stéphane Ogier in Côte Rôtie. Throughout these years, Jean developed his own vision of wine and winemaking, striving to focus on the authentic, natural expression of the terroir. Damascene crafts wines from Syrah, Semillon, Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon grown in unforgettable vineyards in Stellenbosch, Swartland, Franschhoek, Ceres Plateau, and Cederberg.
The modern, perfectly designed winery is the perfect place to implement Jean's balanced philosophy. The grapes are placed in a cold room when they arrive there and gravity moves into the concrete vats where fermentation starts due to the yeast naturally present on the grape skins. The red wines age in 2,000-litre Austrian oak barrels and the white wines in 1,000-litre barrels. The wines spends 10 to 11 months ageing before being bottled just after Christmas. No sulphur is used in the winemaking process until a dose is added just before bottling.
When Jean is not in the winery, he is scouring the Western Cape, in South Africa’s south-west region, looking for passionate winemakers producing premium quality grapes. This region enjoys a Mediterranean climate, ocean winds and a wide variety of soils. Covering over 40,000 kilometres each year, Jean unearths parcels with highly distinctive terroir expressions, which he conveys to perfection in each of his cuvées.
