What if one of the most interesting alternatives to Northern Rhône Syrah came from Stellenbosch?
The 2019 Stark-Condé Syrah has just earned 94 points from Decanter’s Matt Walls and been selected for his feature on alternatives to the Northern Rhône. That’s some pretty impressive company for a South African wine at £29.98.
It’s a reminder of just how much character and complexity the Cape can deliver. Tim Atkin MW has described Stark-Condé’s more recent 2024 Syrah as a Cape-meets-Northern Rhône expression, with clove, rose petal, plum and red berry fruit over a savoury granitic undertow.
Stark-Condé’s vineyards occupy the dramatic Jonkershoek Valley, where steep changes in elevation create a range of distinct growing conditions. Traditional winemaking, careful fruit selection and an evident understanding of Syrah give the wines their distinctive sense of place.
A Northern-Rhône-like
South African Find…
100% Syrah, Stellenbosch
94 Points – Decanter
“A touch herbal, with some hot sand aromas and charcuterie notes and a hint of liquorice. It’s very open aromatically. There’s a note of cedar, but it’s not oaky. Really quite intense acidity, with a savoury, saline finish. Straight and medium-bodied, no excess fruit sweetness or oak. A very good Syrah with a tremulous finish.” – Matt Walls.
A Little More Reason
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