Fable Mountain Vineyards Syrah 2011

Region: Tulbagh, Costal Region, South Africa

Vintage: 2011

Bottle size: 75cl

Grape: Syrah

ABV: 14%

WA: 94 points

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate; The 2011 Syrah comes from the Tulbagh estate and sees eight to 24 months in 500-liter French oak of which one-third is new. The first word that springs to mind on the nose is Clape – a Cornas doppelganger that has wonderful definition. The palate is very intense and minerally, with layers of ripe blackberry, cassis and white pepper and enormous structure on the salted licorice finish that manages to maintain finesse. This is one of the best South African Syrah that I tasted during my tasting – bravo.

The Fable Mountain Vineyards are located along the hillsides of the Witzenberg Mountains, a complex terrain of higher altitudes prone to cold weather and constant threats of wild animals or prairie fires. However, the uniqueness of the locale also lends to a distinct individuality within each of Fable’s wines.