"(from vines planted on the rocky, west-facing slope of Stellenbosch Mountain in 2006; just a single used 500-liter barrel of this juice): Bright ruby-red. Scented, saline aromas of dark berries and crushed-rock minerality. Like liquid silk on the palate but with an urgent quality to its dark berry and flint flavors. Superb, slowly building finish shows firm, dusty tannins and piquant purple fruits and minerals. Comes across as sweeter than the Steepside Syrah but not better.- Stephen Tanzer"
- Vinous (June 2015), 92 pts
"The 2012 Topside Syrah comes from west-facing slopes of the Stellenbosch Mountains at around 350-metres altitude on granite and sandstone soils. It is matured in 500-liter second-fill French oak for 20 months and bottled without filtration. it has a more exuberant bouquet compared to the Steepside, the fruit more sorbet-like and floral, with touches of candied orange peel and marmalade. The palate is succulent on the entry with great depth, supremely well-judged acidity and a structured finish that, like the Steepside, demands two or three years in bottle. Just 667 bottles produced (minus the one we drank, of course.)"
"(from a single vineyard on soil rich in sandstone): Bright dark red. Scented aromas of raspberry, lavender, tree bark, pepper and spices; I would have guessed that this contained some Mourvèdre. At once brambly and a bit high-toned in the mouth, offering a very suave grain and lovely inner-mouth floral/peppery lift to its raspberry and cranberry fruit flavors. Finishes with smooth tannins and piquant floral and spice notes.- Stephen Tanzer"
"The 2014 Topside Syrah is back after missing 2013 after gusts of wind ruined the flowering that year. It is matured in French oak for 20 months, employing around 30% new oak. It conveys a sense of confidence on the nose with upfront blackcurrant, raspberry coulis and subtle touches of blueberry developing in the glass, the oak seamlessly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, crisp acidity, a little tight at first, although it develops more harmony with aeration. Moderate length, this is very fine (as usual) from winemaker Alex Starey. - Neal Martin"
"Topside is located on sandstone soils on the Stellenbosch Mountain. “Always a charmer”, as winemaker Alex Starey puts it, this is clove and white pepper scented, focused and well balanced. A bit of whole bunch fermentation adds another dimension to the sweet violet, raspberry and bramble flavours. Drink: 2017-23"
A very freshly styled, peppery Syrah revealing plum, raspberry and fynbos aromas. Spicy red fruit and vibrant acidity show on the palate with fine, gripping tannins. Fermented in concrete and stainless steel and matured in mostly 500L neutral barrels for about 22 months. 13.5% alc."
"Unblended, the 2015 Topside Syrah is fresh and dusty on the nose with soft, black fruit expression and a fine, black-spice edge. The medium to full-bodied palate has a dusty, varietally correct expression with a soft grip of tannins and a mineral edge with sandy, black pepper tones. It finishes long with lingering, dusty mineral notes. The Topside vineyard is situated on a hill opposite the Steepside vineyard. 2,541 bottles were made."