Syrah Renosterblom 2025 Aurelien Petit

The Syrah Renosterblom 2025 by Aurélien Petit is a Syrah grown on the granite of Paardeberg, in the Swartland, a pure and taut wine with gentle spice and dry herbs. Its colour is pale for a Syrah, closer to a Cinsault or a Grenache. A light and elegant red, all fruit, smooth and easy to drink, with emphasis on freshness, energy and the pure expression of its site.

Terroir and vineyards

The Renosterblom comes from Syrah trained as bush vines, rooted in the granite of Paardeberg in the Swartland. The poor, acidic granitic soil brings verticality, purity and tension, alongside local flora such as Aloe ferox, typical of the fynbos. Vinification uses whole bunches for more than 60%, layered in the fermenter, with intact destemmed berries and daily pump overs of the cap towards the end of fermentation. Aurélien Petit works in a minimalist way, with indigenous yeasts, few inputs and gentle pressing. The wine is aged for eleven months in Burgundian barrels previously used for four to five wines.

Tasting profile

The colour is a bright, clear red for a Syrah. The nose is elegant, with red fruit, peony, pepper, olive, gentle spice and dry herbs. On the palate the wine is light, round and smooth, with no marked tannins, focused on red fruit with a touch of pepper. The finish is peppery and fresh, and the wine already feels ready to drink.

The estate

Aurélien Petit is a young winemaker who grew up in Nyons, in the south of France, in a family of olive growers, truffle cultivators and winegrowers. Trained across the world, from Burgundy to the Jura, the Rhône to Argentina, and Portugal to New Zealand, he found his home in the Swartland, South Africa, with a first vintage in 2023. His wines, made from old vines of Chenin, Cinsault, Syrah and Grenache, make him a French ambassador for the wines of the Swartland.

Food pairings

This Syrah pairs well with charcuterie, roast poultry, grilled dishes, pork, Mediterranean cooking or herb based dishes. Served at around 14 to 16 °C, slightly cool, it is ready to drink now and to be enjoyed now for its fruit.