Minimalist Wine ‘Stars in the Dark’ Syrah, Elim, 2020

At its core, Stars In The Dark is an expression of Syrah from the southernmost tip of Africa, where the Atlantic and Indian oceans collide. The cold and inhospitable Agulhas coast is no easy spot for vines to grow. There’s little rain, the winds howl and the shallow, layered Shale and Koffieklip-littered soils provide little nourish­ment. The ripening season is cool and lengthy yet, with their roots driven deep, these tenacious Syrah vines bear minute, concentrated berries with electric, natural acidity.

Experiencing depression showed me that some of the best things in life emerge from tough times and dark places. And it’s a message no place articulates quite as el­egantly as Cape Agulhas. With its unmistakable salinity, this wine is intensely savoury, yet also floral. Proof that despite harsh conditions – or because of them – a beautiful outcome is always possible.