Critics Ratings

2012 - ‘Maiden vintage. Single vineyard and just SH99 clone. More aromatic and volatile than the regular blend but lively and direct. Some sweetness. Very well intentioned. One to watch.’ - Jancis Robinson MW. JancisRobinson.com, 16/20 (Jan 2015)

2013 - ‘The top Syrah at Boschkloof is further proof that this is a winery on the up. Pastry, red and black fruits, smoky minerality, fine tannins and well judged oak: a wine that is (only) just outside the big Syrah league in South Africa, but will surely get there within a vintage or two.’ - Tim Atkin SA Special Report 2015, 93/100

‘Flagship from a Syrah/Shiraz block in the Stellenbosch Hills. 2013’s 18 months French oak accounts for the cedar, spice array, and terroir for the Rhône-style character, wild berries, scrub, pepper. Succulent, streamlined; showcases the cellar’s expertise with the grape.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2016, 4.5*

2014 - 'My favourite red wine of the year is made entirely with the superior SH99 clone, planted in 1996, and was fermented with 20% whole bunches. It sets a new benchmark for Syrah, combining the experience of Jacques Borman with the youthful brilliance of his son, Reenen. A wine that wouldn’t be out of place in a range of top Hermitages, it’s a stunning achievement: stony, spicy, peppery and very focused, with a granitic texture, polished tannins and a long, velvety finish. Drink: 2017-25’ - Tim Atkin, SA Special Report 2016, 98/100 (Overall Red Wine of the Year)

‘On the nose, red and black berries, fynbos, white pepper and spice. The palate is medium bodied, flavourful and balanced with a persistent finish. Lovely fruit delineation and lovely texture, the tannins fine and mouth-coating. There’s real snap and crunch to the wine – so approachable now but also promising much in time to come.’ - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 96/100

2015 - Tim Atkin awarded the 2014 vintage of this wine as his overall Red Wine of the Year, making the following comment in his 2016 SA Report: - 'It sets a new benchmark for Syrah, combining the experience of Jacques Borman with the youthful brilliance of his son, Reenen. A wine that wouldn’t be out of place in a range of top Hermitages.'

'The 2015 vintage of Epilogue Syrah from Boschkloof in Stellenbosch seems altogether more sleek and powerful than the stand-out 2014. The nose is rather heady with notes of red and black fruit, a definite herbal quality, almost minty in its intensity, floral perfume, liquorice and spice. The palate, meanwhile, is dense and deep with plenty of succulent fruit, fresh acidity and relatively soft tannins.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za 2017, 94/100

'Reenen Borman says this is the “easiest wine to make because the grapes are so good” and what a site this is. Dense, grippy and wonderfully perfumed with layers of Asian spices, subtle whole bunch characters, refined oak and remarkable depth. Now established as one of the Cape’s great Syrahs. Drink 2020-30' - Tim Atkin SA Wine Report 2017, 97/100

2016 - "I’m making this for Syrah fanatics”, says Reenen Borman. Lucky them is all I can say, because this is another stunning release from a brilliant young winemaker. Intense, granitic and spicy, with lovely lavender and garrigue aromas, layers of dark, inky fruit, stylish oak and amazing length. What more do you want from a Syrah? 2020-30.’ - Tim Atkin SA Special Report 2018, 98/100

‘Single-vineyard Shiraz, like 2015 (90 pts). More expressive and fascinating than the Syrah. A floral note (lilies) is part of the dark fruit complexity and finesse of 2016, lifted by 25% bunch ferment, supported by judicious oaking (20% new). Firmly built. Long-lingering dry finish.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2019, 4.5* (94/100)

2017 - ‘What can I say? After scoring 98 points for two previous vintages of this world-class wine, Reenen Borman has gone one better in 2017. First produced in 2012, Epilogue just keeps improving. Made entirely with the SH99 clone, it's intense, concentrated yet beautifully balanced, with notes of fynbos, pine and blackberry fruit and subtle 15% new wood complemented by 20% whole bunches. 2022-35. Overall Red Wine of the Year.’ - Tim Atkin SA Special Report 2019, 99/100

‘Single-vineyard Syrah, 2017 as always more expressive and deep than the varietally named version. Herbal-floral element to the complexity of aroma and flavour. Velvety, with unassertive but influential structure - a gentle sort of power. 20% oak. Altogether convincing.’ - Platter’s SA Wine Guide 2020, 4.5* (94/100)

Provenance

Private Client