# Estate Syrah (2021)

- **Producer:** Rust en Vrede Estate
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Syrah
- **Region:** Western Cape, South Africa
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.3%
- **Average price:** €28
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 14–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** black pepper, blackberry, black cherry, violet, cedar, cloves

## About this wine

The Rust en Vrede Estate Syrah 2021 is a 100% Syrah from Stellenbosch, South Africa. The estate, established in 1694 and owned by the Engelbrecht family since 1977, specializes in red wines. Its location on the Helderberg Mountains provides a microclimate suited for Syrah. The 2021 vintage benefited from a cool, wet winter and a moderate growing season with a cool ripening period, promoting slow ripening and acidity development.

## Interesting facts

- Estate established in 1694, one of South Africa's oldest.
- Nelson Mandela selected Rust en Vrede for Nobel Peace Prize dinner.
- Specializes exclusively in red wine production.
- Helderberg terroir is known for its granite and sandstone soils.

## Food pairing

The wine's structure, with its fine tannins and balanced acidity, makes it a versatile partner for protein-rich dishes. The concentrated fruit notes can complement savory flavors, while the subtle peppery hints can echo spices in the food.

## Wine making process

The Rust en Vrede Estate Syrah 2021 is produced from hand-harvested grapes, with 15% of the bunches kept whole during fermentation in open-top fermenters. This process involves manual punch-downs and pump-overs, followed by 14 to 21 days of maceration. Parcels and clones are vinified separately. The wine then undergoes 18 months of aging in 500-liter French oak barrels, utilizing a mix of new and seasoned oak.