This is the first time there’s no Carignan in this blend. 80% Syrah with Grenache and Cinsault.

This terroir-driven red is crafted using 100% whole-bunch fermentation and aged for 10 months in a mix of 3,000-liter foudres, concrete tanks, and seasoned French oak. It is bottled unfined and lightly filtered, undergoing an additional 18 months of bottle maturation before release. While it is exceptionally expressive and rewarding to drink right now, the wine's impeccable balance and firm tannin structure ensure it will evolve beautifully for a decade or more.

Tasting Notes: The 2025 blend marks a new chapter, with Syrah taking centre stage at 80%, supported by Grenache and Cinsault, and for the first time excluding Carignan. The result is a wine of remarkable purity and precision, where the focus shifts to layered fruit, savoury complexity, and a distinctive mineral core. The nose is intensely perfumed, offering aromas of violets, black plum, wild blackberry, cured meat, black olive, native fynbos, and cracked white pepper, all underpinned by a subtle rocky, mineral character.

The palate is lean, tightly wound, and exceptionally focused, combining vibrant red and purple fruit with savoury herbs, spice, and a dense core of concentrated flavour. A striking mineral thread runs through the centre of the wine, drawing the fruit inward and giving it remarkable tension and elegance. Firm, finely grained tannins provide the most structured framework of Donovan's range, promising excellent ageing potential. Youthful and restrained, this is a serious, cellar-worthy wine that rewards patience, finishing with impressive length, freshness, and a lingering savoury complexity.

Food Pairing: Featuring bright acidity, powdery tannins, and savoury fynbos notes. It pairs beautifully with roasted or grilled meats, game, rich vegetarian dishes, and dishes infused with aromatic spices or herbs. Grilled Lamb Chops: A classic pairing where the fat of the lamb softens the wine’s fine tannins, bringing out its bright fruit. Venison or Duck: The savoury and earthy notes in the wine complement gamey, flavorful meats perfectly. Braaied Boerewors: The smoky, chargrilled flavors pair excellently with the dense, spicy fruit in a Swartland red.