Porcupine Ridge Syrah 2009

I normally steer clear of South African wines, they always seem to have that astringent 'Pinotagey' flavour on the finish, no matter how fine otherwise.

But tonight I dipped my toe in the water again with a bottle of Porcupine Ridge Syrah 2009.

This is an excellent wine in a full-on style. Heaps of chocolate and glycerine, it is somewhere between a traditional McLaren Vale What-Have-You and an ultra-modern St Emilion. One for the Bourneville lovers. Not my style though. There is a trace of that weird 'made in Sith Ifrica' flavour here, but well hidden. A bit soulless, a bit of a designer wine.

Porcupine Ridge Syrah 2009 6-/7+/10 depending on your vibe, £7.99 Waitrose. The 7+ reflects in some ways the quality, but I didn't really enjoy it that much.