Even with the floods and winds still raging in from all sides with spectacular force, leaving a wake of destruction behind them, spring has most definitely sprung.
The first bright beaks of buds on oaks and vineyards have appeared. So too the blossoms on fruit trees, and blooms on every plant and shrub. And what can be a surer sign of spring than the Piet-my-Vrou’s call, sharp and clear, echoing down the valley?
The willows around the dam are a-twitter with finches courting and building nests and on the water the wild ducks and geese and Dobbertjies are making themselves heard all day. The sky, between storms, is suddenly bluer, cleaner and brighter, the mountains are florescent green with foamy white waterfalls pouring down the rock face and wild flowers in all possible shades of pink and yellow, white and blue everywhere.
With such a spring, summer can only be glorious and not too far away.
With the arrival of spring, the equally long awaited Kleinood Tamboerskloof John Spicer Syrah 2017 has made its appearance, albeit fashionably late, and dressed to the nines in an artwork by Katharien de Villiers depicting a few of her favourite things on Kleinood Farm.
The reason for making The Kleinood Tamboerskloof John Spicer Syrah is based purely on the outstanding character of the wine produced by a unique vineyard block year after year – wishing to keep it apart as the ultimate expression of our terroir, supporting the philosophy that great wines are made in the vineyard.
The Kleinood Tamboerskloof John Spicer Syrah 2017 has a medium ruby colour. On the nose plum and wild bramble aromas are followed by charming violets and fynbos with spices and black pepper also prevalent. The entry is youthful with an amazingly generous middle palate, showing loads of texture and fresh acidity. The follow-through of fruit from nose to palate is excellent. The finish is powerful with great oak integration and new leather and tobacco notes.
A superbly elegant wine.
AWARDED:
92/100 – James Suckling, Wine Spectator
94/100 – Tim Atkin
The Kleinood Tamboerskloof John Spicer Syrah 2009
Artist: Beezy Baily
Our first John Spicer Syrah, named after our only son and oldest child, was released in September 2015. The 2009 vintage arrived wrapped in a joyous painting of the farm by Beezy Baily.
Kleinood believes in hands – in the vineyard, picking, sorting, bottling and finally labeling – everything is done by hand with care and dedication. We enjoy the creativity, and individuality of skilled hands. No two bottles are ever exactly the same. Thus, our labels are also letter press printed by hand, and torn by hand not cut.
Each new vintage of our premium Tamboerskloof John Spicer Syrah is also wrapped in a dedicated commissioned artwork by a different artist every year. High resolution scans of the originals are printed on recycled stone paper upon which each bottle is individually wrapped by hand on Kleinood.
Since the John Spicer Syrah 2009, we have worked with artists who all made their works in whichever way they chose of anything on the farm they liked or found interesting. So, we too, experience Kleinood anew with each John Spicer vintage through the eyes and hands of someone else.
The Kleinood Tamboerskloof John Spicer Syrah 2010
Artist: Jill Trappler
The Kleinood Tamboerskloof John Spicer Syrah 2011
Artist: Katharien de Villiers
The Kleinood Tamboerskloof John Spicer Syrah 2012
Artist: Marlene Steyn
The Kleinood Tamboerskloof John Spicer Syrah 2013
Artist: Stephané E. Conradie
The Kleinood Tamboerskloof John Spicer Syrah 2015
Artist: Jeanne Gaigher
The Kleinood Tamboerskloof John Spicer Syrah 2016
Artist: Amy Rusch
This then is the story of The Kleinood Tamboerskloof John Spicer Syrah from a single vineyard block on Kleinood Farm. An elegant and sophisticated wine that is nurtured for six long years in the tranquility of Kleinood’s cellar to confidently enter into the world with the utmost elegance and sophistication.
Enjoy the 2017 vintage – it was a very good year…
With love,
from Kleinood
