HAUT ESPOIR ESTATE SYRAH 2004

I think its time to review a "love at first taste" wine that really sets the standard of cool climate reds to me. This would be the Estate Syrah 2004 from the Haut Espoir Wine Farm in South Africa, Franschoek wine district.

This wine comes from a historically rich region where the French Hugenots after facing persecution in France, arrived in South Africa in 1892 and were allowed to settle in a little district, later to be called "Franschoek" or French Corner.

Franschoek produces noble cultivars grapes and are more known for their fruit-forward whites & Cap Classique styles, but they also do produce a good variety of rich red wines made from Cabernet, Merlot and even Pinot Noir.

But the wines produced in Haut Espoir Wine Farm,given its high altitude, lower temperatures and sun facing vineyards, has different terroir characters from its valley floor neighbours. than those of the valley floor.

Haut Espoir wine farm is a relatively young winery with its first vintage in 2004, but its accolades are impressive enough to draw the attention of the global market. Its 2004 Chardonnay Reserve was awarded DOUBLE-GOLD Medals in the Michelangelo Wine Awards and Veritas Wine Awards in 2004, and its current vintage is awarded the "Diner's Club top 10" Chardonnays in South Africa! Not bad at all for a new winery!

Now here are the tasting notes!

APPEARANCE

A vibrant dark ruby coat with a clear core. The rim is still transparent with clear clarity in apperance.

NOSE

Well balanced aromas of elegant dark berries, coarse peppers and garden spices integrated with hints of Vanilla in the foreground, with a spicy oak in the back.

PALATE

Wonderfully balanced with elegant blackberries & ripe cherries supported by round oak and leading to a subtle tannin finish.

EVOLUTION

Given that I have been drinking this wine since 2005, I really have seen a wonderful development of integration between the fruits and the oak especially in the end of 2006. The oak is beginning to develop some nuts and forest overtones, while the fruits are starting to settle down from its youth and show its herbaclious sides. I really cannot wait for its future evolutions! This wine should be at its peak in 1-2 years time..if there is ANY left!