Clean, high intensity, gragrant, kind of St Joseph perfume, but slightly on the riper side, nevertheless very seductive, ripe dark plums, blackberries, fine respect of fruits, fleshy ripe black olives, floral complexity of rosemary and lavender flower, loamy earthy note, delicate character.

Dry with medium plus acidity, fresh and elegant, subtle extractions, true to type Syrah, delicately juicy, spicy and peppery texture, medium ripe tannins, salty tangy black fruits follows through, savory, full bodied with high alcohol (14%) but well integrated, honest unforceful style, medium plus complexity, medium plus lenght.

Whole berry fermentation, a fine act considering the hot climate of Wellington, have preserved just the right amount of crucial natural acidity, excellent Syrah for food pairings, marginally better that the 2008 vintage (85 Points), reflects the excellence of 2009 vintage across South Africa.

From now until 2018

“I bumped into the Syrah/Mourvèdre 2008 blend of Lazanou Organic Vineyards in the so called Oenothèque (another well hidden “appendix” of the fair where you could taste part of the winning wines from Challenge Millésime-BIO as well as some others – I found it only on the second day of the fair by pure chance!), fell in love with the wine’s bright character and flavour that equally expressed both varieties (18.5/20) and decided to find Lazanou’s table as I’ve never heard of him before”.

“Jo Lazarus, the very friendly owner of this small farm in Wellington (8.5 ha) made me taste his other wines nearly all of which were first or second vintage. I liked very much his Chenin 2008, un-wooded but aged on lees – an example of elegance and minerality layered with ripe fruit and adequate acidity (17/20) and his very distinct but interesting barrel fermented Syrah 2007 of another clone (18/20). We discussed a bit (I was “flying”), Jo said that organic farming was comparatively new for South Africa but gaining momentum and that he’s happy with the results he has obtained so far. So was I and judging by the two French guys tasting on my side and their comments they were happy too.”