Double Delight: De Grendel Celebrates Two Top 10 Ratings in Winemag Shiraz Report

The De Grendel winemaking team are celebrating a rare double – two Top 10 places in the Prescient Winemag Shiraz Report 2023, for two distinctive wines from two very different growing areas.

From the high altitude, continental cool climate of Ceres Plateau, where the vines often rest under snow in winter, De Grendel Op Die Berg Syrah 2021 scored 95 points in the respected wine magazine’s blind tasting.

Dropping down to sea level, De Grendel Elim Shiraz 2020 showcases the cool maritime climate with strong ocean breezes near Africa’s southernmost tip, joining the Winemag Top 10 with 94 points – “a super-tasty drop,” according to the judges.

“Not one, but two Top 10 ratings – we are thrilled! We are delighted with the success of our exploring of diverse winemaking areas, especially for Shiraz which does so well in adapting to different conditions. It is a grape that truly reflects each unique terroir, and here is the proof,” said De Grendel cellar master Charles Hopkins.

The Winemag judging panel commented that De Grendel Op Die Berg Syrah 2021 is “medium-bodied yet flavour-packed”, noting the nose of red berries, fynbos and white pepper, with dense fruit, bright acidity and fine tannins, a long, dry finish.

Elim Shiraz 2020 is a “super-tasty drop!” they remarked, finding “exotic aromatics” of red and black berries, rose, fynbos, cured meat and pepper, the palate a dense core of fruit, bright acidity, and fine tannins.

Hopkins favours the Op Die Berg terroir on the Witzenberg mountains for producing an elegant, fragrant Syrah with distinct white pepper. He believes the Elim terroir is one of the best in the country for highlighting the rotundone black pepper characteristics of Shiraz, making an aromatic, bold wine.

De Grendel Op Die Berg Syrah 2021 is available online now, and watch out for the release of the Elim Shiraz 2020 vintage in the near future.