Tim Atkin South Africa Special Report 2022

“The 2020 Syrah is a 90/10 cuvée of grapes from the Porseleinberg and Goldmine properties and is another triumphant release from Marc Kent and Gottfried Mocke. Far from being a blockbuster, this is a subtle, layered wine, with aromas of violet and five-spice, subtle 60% whole bunches and flavours of bramble, blackberry and goji berry. Silky, scented and deftly oaked. 2023-32” - 97 Points

Neil Martin Vinous Media 2022 Report

“The 2020 Syrah has a cool but focused bouquet that gains intensity with aeration: blackcurrants, bilberry, pressed iris flower and a pinch of Provençal herbs. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, sappy and beautifully balanced, gently building towards a voluminous, almost Côte-Rôtie-like finish.” - 94 Points

Platter’s South African Wine Guide 2023

“Iodine, fynbos & white pepper nuances on Swartland 2020’s ripe, unforced plum & cherry fruit. Pure, with enlivening stemmy grip & fine satin tannins from 60% wholebunch ferment in concrete, maturation in older & larger oak. Exhibits exceptional restraint in a challenging vintage.” - 4.5 Stars & 93 Points

Matthew Jukes 

With 90% of the fruit coming from Porseleinberg and 10% from Goldmine, both in Swartland, this is a wondrous wine with more detail and finesse than any preceding vintage. Utilising only large foudre, the spice and fruit aromatics are as pure and evocative as I have encountered in a Cape Syrah. While the flavour palette is more deep purple than black-fruited, there is no obvious oak intervention and this allows the fruit to soar. Sanguineous and sappy on the finish, this is a glorious red wine with elemental animal notes interwoven with silky ribbons of beautifully ripe blackcurrant, mulberry and plum flavours. With the same texture and volume of fruit as a Vosne-Romanée, this is a regal creation that distances itself from the meat and muscle often found in sun-loving Syrahs!  19+/20

Jancisrobinson.com 

So completely different from the Franschhoek Syrah. Much more red-fruited. This is beautiful, pure dark-red fruit, so fresh, with layers of paper-fine tannins. More of a northern Rhône style with elegance and length and yet shows the richness and fruit sweetness of a warmer region and the structure that characterises wines from these vines. (JH) 17.5