Revenant Wild Ferment Syrah 2023

The Producer

The Revenant range is born from the same family as False Bay Vineyards and Waterkloof Estate — the vision of Paul Boutinot, who set out in 1993 to find a site capable of producing truly distinguished wines. He found it on the south-facing slopes of Schapenberg, overlooking False Bay. Revenant celebrates the glorious rebirth of long-lost Western Cape winemaking traditions: old-vine fruit, wild fermentation, minimal intervention, and the beauty of letting nature lead. Made by Cellarmaster Nadia Langenegger, each wine in the range is a nod to the great Cape classics of decades past, reimagined for today’s adventurous drinker.

Vintage & Terroir

The 2023 vintage Syrah draws from carefully selected vineyards across the Coastal Region, where cool maritime winds moderate the summer heat and allow the grapes to ripen slowly, developing the complex, peppery, savoury character that defines great South African Syrah. The Revenant range specifically champions old-vine sites — historically, Cinsault and Syrah were the secret ingredients behind many of the legendary Stellenbosch reds of the 1950s through 1970s.

In the Cellar

Wild fermentation is the cornerstone of the Revenant philosophy — no commercial yeasts, just the natural cultures found on the grapes and in the cellar. A portion of whole-bunch fruit adds aromatic complexity and a savoury, spicy backbone. The wine is matured in older oak vessels that soften and integrate without masking the varietal character. Minimal fining and filtration keep the wine honest and expressive from start to finish.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Deep ruby with violet reflections.
Nose: An abundance of vibrant red fruit — red berries and blueberries — with hints of perfume, dark chocolate, and cracked black pepper.
Palate: Gentle and elegant, reflecting infinite balance. The wild fermentation adds layers of complexity — savoury, spicy, and textured. Dark fruit, fine-grained tannins, and a refreshing natural acidity carry the wine effortlessly across the palate.
Finish: Long and composed, with lingering dark fruit and a peppery, savoury tail.

Food Pairing

A wine that loves the table — pair it with slow-braised lamb shanks, a rich mushroom and truffle pasta, or chargrilled fillet with a red wine jus. Equally at home with bobotie, smoked duck, or a mature cheese board. Serve at 16–18°C and decant for 20 minutes if you can resist.

Technical Details

Our Guarantee

Every bottle of Revenant Wild Ferment Syrah is backed by our 100% Happiness Assured! Guarantee. If this wine doesn’t hit the spot, we’ll make it right — no fuss, no fine print, just honest wine and honest service.