Glen Carlou Platter's Wine of the Year.  Add/Read Comments

The latest issue of the South African wine 'bible' - John Platter's Wine Guide - has put the Glen Carlou Syrah, 2004 as their Wine of the Year. Announced at the guides annual launch dinner the wine was described as "Seductive layers of dark fruit, mocha-choc, garrigue, wood-char, in misleadingly accessible structure - resist for 6-8 yrs, there are still rewards in store. The balance is perfect: disciplined tannins, flavour opulence, yet sophisticated nuancing."

In the UK is retails for around £13.99 and is a blend of Syrah (96%), Mourvédre (3%) and Viognier (1%) from "low yielding vines. Fermentation is in 50 % new and 2nd fill French oak and 50 % new American oak. The wine spends a further 12 months ageing in both French and American oak."

Around 5,000 wines were evaluated in the research for the 2006 guide, 72 of which were short listed for Five Star grading. The panel of international judges finally awarded just 11 wines Five Stars, confirming them 'Superlative. A Cape classic.' The 2004 Glen Carlou Syrah was among the top scoring Five Star wines which were then re-tasted to determine the wine that would ultimately be awarded the Guide's highest accolade of overall 'Wine of the Year'.