Syrah and Shiraz: same grape, two personalities. In France’s Rhône Valley it’s Syrah — cool, peppery, savoury and structured. In Australia it’s Shiraz — rich, ripe and spice-forward. In South Africa, the best producers do both, and sometimes both at once. This case brings together five compelling Cape expressions: from a bold, peppery Stettyn Jar From Dirt built for the braai to a cult unlabelled Swartland Syrah available nowhere else, to Groenland’s two Platter’s 4.5-star classics from the Bottelary Hills. There’s also the Maison Shiraz 2019 — a 100% Shiraz aged a full year in French oak, with burnt cinnamon and marshmallow depth. Whether you lean Rhône or lean Hunter Valley, this case will make you question your preferences.
The Syrah Story
South Africa grows Syrah across a range of climatic conditions impossible to replicate in either France or Australia. From the warm, windswept Swartland — where old-vine bush Syrah produces wines of extraordinary concentration and spice — to the cooler granite slopes of the Bottelary Hills, to the coastal sites of the Cape Peninsula, each region gives the grape something different to say. The variety was planted seriously in the 1990s and has since become one of the most exciting cultivars in the country.
Today, South African Syrah is winning blind tastings against Northern Rhône icons and drawing comparisons with the great Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage. The Swartland in particular has established itself as one of the world’s great Syrah regions — old bush vines, minimal intervention, and a cool-climate restraint that belies the dramatic heat of the region. Platter’s regularly awards 4.5 stars and 90-plus points to Cape Syrahs. This case is a tour of that range.
What’s in the Box
Maison Shiraz 2019
One hundred percent Shiraz, aged for a full year in French oak. The Maison Shiraz 2019 delivers deep colour, balanced tannins and rich notes of burnt cinnamon and marshmallow — a premium single-varietal statement with the complexity that only proper barrel ageing brings. Serious, structured and built to last.
Syrah Reserve 2020 — Swartland
An iconic Swartland producer, unlabelled for maximum value. This cult Syrah is available nowhere else at this price — a small, exclusive parcel made exclusively for Vinty. The wild terroir of the Swartland is in every sip: dark spice, earthy depth and the savoury complexity that only old-vine Swartland fruit can deliver.
Groenland Shiraz 2020
Platter’s 4.5 stars — a remarkable achievement for a wine at this price. From the Bottelary Hills, this is a classic Groenland Shiraz: dark fruit, black pepper and proper Cape spice. Groenland is one of the Cape’s most underrated estates, and the 4.5-star Platter’s rating reflects exactly what you’ll find in the glass.
Groenland Premium Syrah 2019
Platter’s 4.5 stars and 89 points — and the 2018 vintage scored 92. Concentrated dark fruit, cracked black pepper and serious French oak from one of Groenland’s flagship wines. The Premium Syrah is generous, full-bodied and structured, with the depth that rewards patience and a proper decant.
Stettyn Jar From Dirt Syrah 2023
The name says exactly what it is — from the dirt to the glass. Bold, peppery and built for the braai, the Jar From Dirt Syrah delivers dark fruit, cracked pepper and a touch of vanilla from time in oak. Full-bodied and characterful, this is Stettyn’s most uncompromising red: made to be opened outside, with smoke in the air and fire in the background.
How They’re Made
Syrah at the Cape is typically hand-harvested and either destemmed entirely or fermented whole-bunch, depending on the producer’s philosophy. The whole-bunch approach adds savoury, peppery complexity — distinctly Rhône-like in character — and is increasingly favoured in Swartland and coastal sites. After fermentation, Cape Syrahs are aged in French oak, usually in old barrels to avoid overwhelming the fruit, for 12 to 24 months. The best examples are bottled with minimal fining, minimal filtration and just enough sulphur to protect the wine. What distinguishes Cape Syrah from Australian Shiraz is the emphasis on texture and mineral complexity over primary ripe fruit — a philosophy championed by the new generation of Cape producers.
Food & Wine
- Maison Shiraz 2019: Slow-braised lamb with warm Moroccan spices. Also exceptional with boerewors and chakalaka.
- Syrah Reserve 2020 — Swartland: Game meat — springbok, kudu or ostrich fillet. Or a bold Karoo lamb stew.
- Groenland Shiraz 2020: Spiced pork belly or a rich beef tomato bredie. Brilliant on a winter’s evening.
- Groenland Premium Syrah 2019: Aged hard cheese — Manchego or mature Cheddar — or a proper beef fillet.
- Stettyn Jar From Dirt Syrah 2023: Made for the braai. Lamb chops, boerewors, a fire. That’s it.
Awards & Recognition
- Groenland Shiraz 2020: Platter’s 4.5 stars
- Groenland Premium Syrah 2019: Platter’s 4.5 stars | 89 points | 2018 vintage: 92 points
- Maison Shiraz 2019: 100% Shiraz | 12 months French oak
Looking for a single-bottle expression of Swartland Syrah at its most terroir-driven? The Survivor Terroir Syrah 2023 (90 points, Platter’s 2026) is available separately — 18 months in barrel, plush and generous, and built for exactly the same food this case is.
The Que Syrah Shiraz collection is a masterclass in one of South Africa’s most versatile grapes — five very different wines, five very different approaches, one extraordinary cultivar. From the peppery elegance of Swartland bush-vine Syrah to Stettyn’s braai-ready Jar From Dirt. Available at Vinty.
