The Liberator Syrah | Stellenbosch, South Africa

£15.40

The Liberator Francophile Syrah most resembles a young Crozes-Hermitage. 

‘The Liberator’ – aka Rick – is the alter ego of Master of Wine Richard Kelley. He one of the most respected authorities on South African wine in the UK and beyond. Between 1995 and 2002 living and working in the Cape, witnessing the renaissance of the post-apartheid wine industry, affording him access to distinguished cellars and winemakers.

He is renowned for ‘liberating’ great wines (maybe an occasional experimental batch, or possibly an interesting off-cut from some proud winemaker’s latest premium release) that are resigned to a tragic fate of being blended away or disposed of in bulk.

Sourcing and creating The Francophile Syrah marked a departure for Rick who commissioned the making of this young vine Syrah, rather than repurposing existing cuvees. It’s intended to be sustainable and repeatable; to be enjoyed copiously in the knowledge that it is not subject to the finite quantities imposed by The Liberator Special Editions.

Hand-picked from the weathered granite soils on the cooler south-east facing slopes of the Bottelary Hills, these grapes were sourced with Rick’s Francophile palate in mind. The wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks (using indigenous yeasts), incorporating around 15% of whole bunches to help retain both fruit and freshness. After enjoying a two week post-fermentation maceration, the young wine was drawn-off into concrete tanks, stainless steel and seasoned barriques where it underwent the malolactic fermentation, before being aged for a further 12 months and then bottled (without filtration).

The Liberator Francophile Syrah most resembles a young Crozes-Hermitage. 

‘The Liberator’ – aka Rick – is the alter ego of Master of Wine Richard Kelley. He one of the most respected authorities on South African wine in the UK and beyond. Between 1995 and 2002 living and working in the Cape, witnessing the renaissance of the post-apartheid wine industry, affording him access to distinguished cellars and winemakers.

He is renowned for ‘liberating’ great wines (maybe an occasional experimental batch, or possibly an interesting off-cut from some proud winemaker’s latest premium release) that are resigned to a tragic fate of being blended away or disposed of in bulk.

Sourcing and creating The Francophile Syrah marked a departure for Rick who commissioned the making of this young vine Syrah, rather than repurposing existing cuvees. It’s intended to be sustainable and repeatable; to be enjoyed copiously in the knowledge that it is not subject to the finite quantities imposed by The Liberator Special Editions.

Hand-picked from the weathered granite soils on the cooler south-east facing slopes of the Bottelary Hills, these grapes were sourced with Rick’s Francophile palate in mind. The wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks (using indigenous yeasts), incorporating around 15% of whole bunches to help retain both fruit and freshness. After enjoying a two week post-fermentation maceration, the young wine was drawn-off into concrete tanks, stainless steel and seasoned barriques where it underwent the malolactic fermentation, before being aged for a further 12 months and then bottled (without filtration).

Origin: Stellenbosch, South Africa

Grapes: Syrah

Tasting Notes: Full of vibrant red-black fruit and with an aromatic nose reminiscent of Saint-Joseph lilies, the result is a thrilling young red that is free of the constraints and manipulated flavour profile that come with barrel-ageing. This is a very pure and naked example of the Syrah grape.

ABV: 14.0%

Vintage: 2021

Ageing potential: 3-5 years

Attributes: Vegan, oak aged

Closure: Screwcap

Farming:

Sustainability info: Approximately 10% of DeMorgenzon has been set aside for the restoration of Renosterveld, a dominant vegetation type with a very high species diversity but one of the most threatened habitats in the Cape floral kingdom. 

Winemaker: Adam Mason 

Winery link

Food pairing suggestions: