Description
The Story: A Rebel With a Cause
Every now and then, our WineTrader team gets a call that makes our day. A legendary Swartland producer, one of the original rebels who put the region on the map, had a small parcel of their iconic 2018 Premium Syrah that needed a new home, fast. This isn’t just any wine; it’s a story of terroir, passion, and a healthy dose of anti-establishment spirit, bottled.
The XCellar Deal: Your Insider Access
To protect their prestigious main brand (and the price it commands), they agreed to let us bottle it under one condition: we keep their identity a secret. That’s the XCellar promise in action: we get you inside the cellar door to access a wine you’d normally pay a fortune for, simply by hiding the label. You get the quality and the story; we get to keep a great relationship. Everyone wins.
What’s in the Bottle?
This is quintessential Swartland Syrah. Forget jammy, simple Shiraz; this is complex, savoury, and alive.
- On the nose: A wave of dark plum and ripe blackberries is lifted by classic Swartland notes of cracked black pepper, a hint of clove, and that signature wild garrigue (think fynbos and dried herbs).
- On the palate: The fruit is concentrated but perfectly balanced by a fresh acidity. The real magic is in the texture—fine, grippy tannins provide a fantastic structure that leads to a long, savoury finish with notes of Kalamata olive and cured meat.
- In simple terms: It’s seriously complex and utterly delicious. A “no pretence” wine with a PhD in flavour.
Our Guarantee: 100% Happiness Assured!
This is an XCellar Limited Edition, and like all our wines, it’s covered by our 100% Happiness Assured! Guarantee. If you don’t absolutely love this wine for any reason, just let us know. We’ll arrange to collect the remaining bottles and give you a full credit or refund. It’s the trust you need to discover your new favourite secret.
Technical Details:
| W.O.: | Swartland |
|---|---|
| ALC: | 14.0% |
| VINTAGE: | 2018 |
| TIER: | XCellar Limited Edition |
Renowned critic –
90 points
Vivino –
4.0 from 164 reviews
Wynand Swart (verified owner) –
some bottles have been better than others!
The Vinty Team (store manager) –
Hi Wynand, thanks for the honest feedback. With small-batch wines like the Reserve Syrah 2018, there can sometimes be a bit of variation between bottles, and we totally get that it’s not ideal when one doesn’t quite match the magic of the last.
We’ve gone ahead and added 30% off a case of City by Dusk – Red Blend 2021 to your account for your next order; no need to do anything. Just a small way of saying thanks for your support, and here’s to your next bottle being a real standout.
Louis (verified owner) –
Jerome Kiley (verified owner) –
Delicious! I am going to order more!
Zahn Hulme (verified owner) –
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Great Shiraz!!
Andrew Turnbull (verified owner) –