The Old Road Wine Co. is situated at the entrance to the little ‘Alpine’ town of Franschhoek. It produces ultra-premium wines with grapes drawn from selected vineyards in a number of wine appellations.
12 Mile Syrah 2018
Ryan Puttick the winemaker for Old Road Co. Wines, makes his magic in the Franschhoek Cellar. The grapes come from three different wine appellations: Coastal Region, Durbanville and Stellenbosch,. The dry land vineyards are planted in mainly granitic, Oakleaf, and Tukulu soils. Vineyard management includes mid-summer green harvesting and careful leaf canopy care.
Once in the cellar, all but 15% of the grapes are destemmed and crushed. This 15% is whole bunch pressed with the stems. Cold fermentation took place in open top fermenters with regular punch downs. Malolactic fermentation took place in 500 litre French Oak Barrels of which 25% were new. The wine matured on its lees for a year before being prepared for bottling.
Pour
From a dark green heavy Burgundy shaped bottle, closed with natural cork. The label is simple and elegant and depicts a postman’s bicycle, ready for his 12-mile delivery run in the town.
In the glass, the wine is a deep blood plum red which pales out to ruby at the rim. The aromas are of sweet ripe berry fruits, plums, oak spice, and a grind of white pepper. On entry, the palate has a soft line of acidity and velvet glove tannins. The mouthfeel is soft and velvet smooth, the tannins are well integrated into the wine.
A truly impressive glass with Ryan’s restrained and minimal interference, soft touch. A truly elegant example of a fine Syrah.
Pair
The Old Road Wine Company Syrah 2018 already had five years behind it so it could well be the glass of a superb wine you have after dinner sitting outside with a shard of dark chocolate and putting the world to right. It loves a well grilled tranche of beef, perhaps with a herb butter or a Bearnaise sauce. Great with a piece of hard matured cheese like the Dalewood Fromage Huguenot.
Click HERE to read more about The Old Road Wine Co. and buy wine online.