2011 Fable Mountain Vineyards, Syrah, Tulbagh, South Africa
Critics reviews
Neal Martin - 31/10/2014
Platter Wine Guide , wineonaplatter.com, Nov 2014
About this WINE
Fable Mountain Vineyards
Tulbagh, if you are not familiar with it, lies to the north of Wellington, flanking the eastern edge of Swartland. It is not a region particularly well known for quality wine but it is slowly beginning to follow in the footsteps of its innovative neighbour, Swartland.
Fable Mountain’s vineyards were established here in 2000 (under its previous incarnation of Tulbagh Mountain Vineyards) and gained significant respect in South Africa throughout the subsequent 10 years for the quality of its grapes and dedication to organic and biodynamic viticulture (Chris and Andrea Mullineux both worked here in the early part of the decade). Only red grapes (Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cabernet Sauvignon) are grown here on steep mountain slopes at 400 to 500m above sea level. White grapes meanwhile are carefully selected from old vines in neighbouring Swartland to make the Jackal Bird blend.
The property changed hands in 2010 and, with the help of ex-Screaming Eagle investor Charles Banks, is now curated by husband and wife Paul Nichols and Rebecca Tanner. Fable Mountain Vineyards is finally beginning to realise its incredible potential: the 2012 Jackal Bird White and 2011 Syrah both gained five stars from Platter. All three wines are stunning.
Tulbagh
The South African wine region of Tulbagh lies just 35 miles north of Paarl. The region generally enjoys a hot and dry climate, being surrounded by the Obiqua Mountains that offer shelter the Atlantic Ocean weather extremities. Cool evening air from the Ocean is trapped in the valley during the day, helping to keep the daytime temperatures at a moderate level.
This is a region where Southern Rhone red grape varieties thrive, Syrah most prominently, along with Mourvedre and Viognier. In terms of white-wine varieties is Chenin Blanc is the most-planted, but Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc have also gained ground in the past few years.
Syrah/Shiraz
A noble black grape variety grown particularly in the Northern Rhône where it produces the great red wines of Hermitage, Cote Rôtie and Cornas, and in Australia where it produces wines of startling depth and intensity. Reasonably low yields are a crucial factor for quality as is picking at optimum ripeness. Its heartland, Hermitage and Côte Rôtie, consists of 270 hectares of steeply terraced vineyards producing wines that brim with pepper, spices, tar and black treacle when young. After 5-10 years they become smooth and velvety with pronounced fruit characteristics of damsons, raspberries, blackcurrants and loganberries.
It is now grown extensively in the Southern Rhône where it is blended with Grenache and Mourvèdre to produce the great red wines of Châteauneuf du Pape and Gigondas amongst others. Its spiritual home in Australia is the Barossa Valley, where there are plantings dating as far back as 1860. Australian Shiraz tends to be sweeter than its Northern Rhône counterpart and the best examples are redolent of new leather, dark chocolate, liquorice, and prunes and display a blackcurrant lusciousness.
South African producers such as Eben Sadie are now producing world- class Shiraz wines that represent astonishing value for money.
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Description
Yet another five star Platter wine, Fable Mountain’s 2011 Syrah has a pure, black cherry fruit nose with a lush, broad mouthfeel. It is concentrated and rich, almost Ribera del Duero like in personality, but combines this with impressive elegance. Layer upon layer of fruit and ripe silky tannins are complemented by an earthy, mineral character. This is very fine indeed.
Catriona Felstead MW, Wine Buyer
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