93 pts Tim Atkin MW 2020

You can definitely taste the Luke van Loggerneberg’s touch on this Polkadraai Hills Syrah, which is spicy, elegant and low in alcohol, with noticeable white pepper and charcuterie flavours, pithy acidity, savoury tannins and negligible oak. A Syrah for northern Rhone fans. 2021-26

92+ pts Greg Sherwood MW April 2020

Pure Syrah grown on sandy decomposed granite soils from 26 year old vines. Originally planted for mechanical harvesting but is now carefully nurtured and cared for allowing grapes that yield incredible perfumed fragrance, cherry blossom, graphite and incense nuances, wet slate and granitic minerality. Beautifully old world in style boasting freshness and minerality, restraint and brightness of fruit. Lovely red berry intensity, purity and olive tapenade complexity, this really is a fabulous wine with plenty of energy and appeal. If you like your Syrahs fresher and purer but less savoury and meaty, you will absolutely love this expression.

90 pts Winemag.co.za Feb 2020

The Syrah from Carinus Family Vineyard has always been slightly overshadowed for me by the Chenin Blanc but if the 2019 is anything to go by, the gap is closing. Whereas grapes for the Chenin are from the Swartland, they are from Polkadraai in the case of the Syrah, the acclaimed Lukas van Loggerenberg the winemaker in both instances.

The nose of the Syrah 2019 is very aromatic with notes of red fruit, dried herbs and pelargonium while the palate is super-light yet still possessing a good core of fruit, the acidity lively and the tannins fine, a pleasantly austere feel to the wine overall (alcohol: 12.5%).