Critics Ratings

‘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)

‘Rich, dark and subtly seductive. Dark fruit and a hint of dark chocolate but not sweet. Firm, dry and serious, dark like 75% chocolate on the finish, leaving your mouth clean, with a long lingering finish.’ – Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17+/20 (Sep 2019)

‘There's an upfront minty, herbal on the nose of this wine, grounded by ripe scents of fresh red cherry and plum. It's a wonderful exchange between earthy, herbal tones and attractive red fruits. The medium-bodied palate is like crushed satin, with fine yet structuring tannins and a complex interplay between crushed herbs, savory spice, black olive, pepper and red-fruit skin. Some tea accents add depth and a bit of textural interest as well. Ample acidity keeps it fresh, while hints of dried orange peel and rooibos tea unfold on the close.’ – Lauren Buzzeo, Wine Enthusiast, 94/100 (Sep 2019)

'Winemaking for the 2017 involved 20% whole-bunch fermentation before maturation lasting 14 months in 400-litre barrels, 20% new. The nose shows slight reduction before red and black fruit, some earthiness, pepper and spice. The palate is dense, rich and smooth textured. It has a great core of fruit to go with chewy tannins and it comes across as quite forceful (alcohol is 14%) at this very early stage of its life.' - Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za, 94/100 (May 2019)

Provenance

Wine Cellar Private Client