July 25, 2024
Minimalist Wines: One of the most exciting Syrah we have tasted recently
We recently tasted the Syrahs from Minimalist Wines, crafted by Sam Lambson, and are thrilled to share our excitement. He is undoubtedly a rising star in South African winemaking. Best of all, these wines are easy on the wallet. During our tasting at the Amsterdam Cape Cru, the Minimalist Wines Syrahs stood out as some of the best, impressing us with their quality and potential.
Minimalist Wines, founded by Sam Lambson, has quickly become renowned for producing exceptional Syrah wines that showcase South Africa's unique terroir. Lambson, an innovative and dynamic winemaker, has significantly impacted the wine industry since establishing Minimalist Wines, blending traditional techniques with modern technology to create expressive and distinctive wines.
Minimalist Wines embraces a "less is more" philosophy in both architecture and vinicultural practices. The No Place Like Home Syrah grapes come from Niemandsrivier, a 3-hectare vineyard in Elgin, leased from Johan and Milanie Vosloo. Planted in 2006 with three Syrah clones on sandstone and shale soils, this vineyard provides the ideal environment for premium Syrah wines. Using drone technology and traditional soil analysis, Lambson identified four unique vineyard pockets, which were harvested and fermented separately, then blended to create a wine that explores the vineyard's variation.
Lambson's minimal intervention winemaking allows the grapes to express their true character, reflecting the terroir and climate. His innovative techniques have earned him recognition as one of South Africa’s rising stars in winemaking. Minimalist Wines' authentic and pure wines are a testament to South Africa's exceptional terroir, inviting Syrah enthusiasts worldwide to experience their distinctive flavours.
Photo: Winemaker Sam Lambson
In Summary: "No Place Like Home" exudes opulence, featuring rich, layered flavours, whereas "Stars in the Dark" offers a more classic and linear profile, with precise and focused characteristics.
Minimalist Wines No Place Like Home:
The "No Place Like Home" Syrah from Minimalist Wines showcases Sam Lambson's dedication to single-site vineyards. The grapes are sourced from a 3-hectare vineyard in Elgin, planted in 2006 and leased from Johan and Milanie Vosloo. This vineyard, featuring three Syrah clones on sandstone and shale soils, benefits from Lambson’s innovative use of drone technology and soil analysis to identify distinct vineyard pockets. Each section is harvested and fermented separately before blending. The result is a wine with complex aromatics, elegant structure, and a vibrant, saline finish. The 2022 vintage includes 20% whole bunches and is matured in used oak barrels, offering dark fruit flavours with a floral style, harmonious tannins, and a seductive tenderness.
Minimalist Wines Stars in the Dark:
"Stars in the Dark" Syrah is another standout from Minimalist Wines. Sourced from Cape Agulhas, one of the Western Cape’s most challenging wine regions, the harsh conditions there, including strong winds and nutrient-poor soils, yield intensely flavoured and high-acid grapes. The 2022 vintage is stomped underfoot with one-third whole bunches and aged in 3rd and 4th fill French oak. It features a rich black berry fruit profile with coastal salinity, and a pure, beautifully delineated nose. The medium-bodied palate has fine-grained tannins, well-balanced with a precise, edgy finish, reminiscent of Northern Rhone Syrahs, making it a compelling choice for collectors and enthusiasts.
We like the style of both wines and recommend a few bottles of each for the cellar. Both wines will drink until 2040.
Minimalist Wines No Place Like Home Syrah 2022
94 Points | Vinous, Neal Martin
The 2022 No Place Like Home is pure Syrah from Elgin containing 20% whole bunches, matured in used oak barrels. This is higher-toned and more opulent than the Stars In The Dark, with dark fruit but more floral in style. The medium-bodied palate has saturated tannins, very harmonious and poised, gently building in the mouth with veins of blue fruit towards the finish. There is a very seductive tenderness here. Sophisticated Syrah…but also delicious!
Minimalist Wines Stars in the Dark Syrah 2022
96 Points | Vinous, Neal Martin
The 2022 Stars in the Dark comes from Cape Agulhas, stomped underfoot with one-third whole bunches, aged in 3rd and 4th fill French oak. The red fruit on the nose seems to "hug" the olfactory senses, very pure and beautifully delineated, an underlying mineralité gaining momentum with aeration. The medium-bodied palate has fine-grained tannins, extremely well-balanced with a precise, edgy finish, black pepper and black tea lingering temptingly. This continues Lambson's strong run of form and comes highly recommended.