KYSELA PERE ET FILS, LTD.

"It's good to see a top Cape Syrah released with a little bottle age, especially when it’s as good as this one from a warm, north-facing site on clay soils. Complex, dense and voluptuous, it has garrigue and tarragon aromas, understated oak and flavours of cooked meat, tapenade, damson and blackberry. Superb. 2024-30"

- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2023 Report), 96 pts

"Steepside faces north and east and is situated at 300 metres on granite and clay loam soils. The result in 2017, that exceptional Cape vintage, is a world-class Syrah from Alex Starey, with a combination of violet and pine aromas, fine-boned tannins, subtle oak and bramble and black cherry fruit. Vibrant and energetic. 2024-35"

- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2022 Report), 96 pts

"Offers lush flavors of black cherry and boysenberry compote layered with fragrant espresso crema, ganache, violet and anise, while fresh acidity and a tang of iron provide balance. Expressive and medium- to full-bodied, with creamy tannins delivering good tension and definition through the lasting finish. Drink now through 2030. 40 cases imported. - Alison Napjus"

- Wine Spectator (August 2022), 92 pts

"The 2017 Syrah Single Vineyard Series Steepside is matured for 20 months in seasoned oak. There is a slight reduction on the nose with dark berry fruit and light violet scents. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins, well balanced and definitely a more elegant and understated Syrah with long and tender finish. Lovely.- Neal Martin"

- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (September 2022), 92 pts

"This is a structured Syrah that displays aromas of salt, black fruit, herbs and peppercorn. Flavors of pomegranate, black cherry and hints of bay leaf result in a full-bodied red, with a chalky texture and lifting acidity. - Jesica Vargas"

- Wine Enthusiast (October 2023), 91 pts

"Aromas of red cherry, black pepper, nutmeg and bark. Medium-bodied with silky tannins, Juicy and fresh, with herbal character coming out more as the palate evolves. Bright acidity. Sustainable. Drink now."

- James Suckling (November 2022), 91 pts

"This world-class Syrah hails from a 0.7-hectare parcel planted on a ridge in 2005. Made with no stems in 2016 – the wine normally sees 15% whole bunches - it's like a Cape Côte Rôtie, all perfume, nuance and texture, with notes of ginger spice, barbecued meat and some ferrous grip. 2021-28"

- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2020 Report), 95 pts

"If Topside is Alex Starey’s Côte Rôtie, then Steepside is his Cornas, a hotter, north-facing site that produces dense, ferrous, almost bloody Syrah. This is grippy and firm with layers of tannin and firm, intense dark berry fruit. 2020-30"

- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2018 Special Report), 95 pts

"The 2015 Steepside Syrah gives classic notes of blackberry, cassis and plum skin, with a structuring mineral tone reminiscent of dust—almost ashy—and lingers in the glass with hints of black pepper. The palate is dry and focused with a bright, structured core and mineral tension to the mid-palate, finishing with lingering soft, smoky spices. Only 2,571 bottles were made. - Anthony Mueller"

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #245, October 2019), 92 pts

Go To Keermont Steepside Syrah

"The 2015 Steepside Syrah comes from vines at around 350 meters above sea level, from similar clonal material to the Topside but on deep clay/loam soils, while the vines are oriented to the north. It spent 20 months maturing in seasoned 225- and 500-liter French oak barrels before being bottled by hand without filtration. This has a more fruit-forward bouquet than the Topside, featuring small red cherries, raspberry, briar and light cassis scents. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin and crisp acidity, quite compact at the moment and probably deserving around 18 to 24 months in bottle. Good potential here, although the Topside offers the elegance and sophistication this year. - Neal Martin"

- Vinous  (August 29th 2018), 92 pts

Go To Keermont Steepside Syrah

"Another brilliant release from this clay loam and granite-based site, this ranks among the five best Syrahs in the Cape. Grippy, spicy and perfumed, it’s a wine with sappy, almost bloody notes, firm yet fine tannins and a core of dark, brooding fruit and acidity. Stunning stuff. Drink: 2017-27."

- Tim Atkin (September 2016), 96 pts

Go To Keermont Steepside Syrah

"Lush and layered, with warm plum, boysenberry and blackberry compote notes stretched out over melted licorice and ganache flavors. The long, spice-infused finish lets the fruit drip slowly. A hedonist's delight. Drink now through 2020. 72 cases made."

- Wine Spectator (Web only, 2016), 92 pts

Go To Keermont Steepside Syrah

"The 2012 Steepside Syrah owes its names to the vines planted on the vertiginous slopes of the Helderberg Mountain at an elevation of around 300 meters. A special selection is made from small parcels and the wine is fermented in open-top fermenters before maturation in used French barrels for 20 months. It has a very precise bouquet with complex wild strawberry, raspberry and mineral notes that are tightly wound at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, crisp acidity and a broody but compelling finish that will need a couple of years to unfold. Enjoy this Cornas-style Syrah from 2016."

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #215, October 2014), 92 pts

Go To Keermont Steepside Syrah

"(14%; just 1 g/l r.s.!; aged in seasoned oak; from vines planted in 2005 on the slopes of Helderberg Mountain): Dark red with ruby tones. Complex nose offers dark berries, wild herbs and spices, with a balsamic quality and subtle lift from dried flowers. Suave and fine-grained in the mouth, with lovely precision and aromatic lift to the lightly saline flavors of red and darker fruits, flowers, spices, iron and botanical herbs. Finishes bone-dry, restrained and very long, with harmonious tannins. This very refined yet exotic Syrah needs time to expand in bottle. A very strong performance for young vines. - Stephen Tanzer"

- Vinous  (June 2015), 92 pts

Go To Keermont Steepside Syrah