Radford Dale Syrah 2015

Radford have been working with these old bushvine vineyards in Swartland since 2003. The Swartland is known for its dry, semi-arid climate and hot summers, but cool nights mean the grapes ripen with intensity of flavour and beautiful warmth of fruit.

With minimal rains for over two years and no irrigation, the crops were limited in 2015 but these bush vines are so accustomed to the heat and the toughness of this rugged environment that they have developed a harmonious co-existence with the terroir. Their root systems grow deep down 10-12 metres into the granitic subsoils and bedrock below as they have to look a long way for water. The resulting grapes had tiny berries and rather compact bunches that meant great concentration and perfect levels of natural acidity.