Tembela Syrah is a distinctive, elegant expression of South African Syrah from rising star winemaker Banele Vakele. Named in tribute to his late mother, Tembela wines showcase vineyard character through minimal intervention. The 2024 vintage of Tembela Syrah continues the estate’s hallmark style — a perfumed, refined Syrah with bright fruit purity, savoury depth, and fine, food-friendly structure.
Vineyards & Vinification:
Grapes sourced from cooler hillside sites on granite and clay soils in the Polkadraai Hills (Stellenbosch).
100% whole-bunch fermented in open-top fermenters with natural yeasts.
Aged for 10–12 months in older 300–500 L French oak barrels to preserve fruit vibrancy and textural finesse.
Bottled unfined and unfiltered, with minimal SO₂.
Tasting Notes:
Appearance: Deep ruby with youthful purple rim.
Nose: Bright aromas of wild raspberry, cranberry, violets, white pepper, and subtle savoury herbs. A fragrant, lifted bouquet.
Palate: Silky, medium-bodied and textural. Juicy red and black fruits — raspberry, plum, and blackcurrant — layered with gentle spice, cured meat, and olive tapenade. Lively natural acidity balances the fruit core. Whole-bunch character adds fine tannin grip and herbal complexity.
Finish: Long, elegant, and mineral, with lingering notes of wild berry, spice, and dried herbs.
Serving Suggestions: Serve at 14–16°C. An exceptionally versatile red: enjoy with charcuterie, grilled lamb, roast duck, mushroom risotto, or hard cheeses. Also perfect as an elegant solo pour.
Accolades (previous vintages):
2023: 94 pts – Christian Eedes (Winemag)
2022: 94 pts – Tim Atkin MW
Consistently among the top modern, lighter-framed Syrahs in South Africa.
Technical Details:
Grape: 100% Syrah
Region: Stellenbosch (Polkadraai Hills)
Vintage: 2024
ABV: 14%
Bottle Size: 750ml
Maturation: Older French oak (10–12 months)
Fining/Filtration: Unfined, unfiltered
Delivery within South Africa:
All orders are delivered from our central warehouse located in Montague Gardens, Western Cape. Local orders are usually delivered in 0-2 working days. Orders outside of Cape Town but within SA are generally delivered within 2-5 working days. If you require expedited delivery, we now offer an Express delivery service, which typically takes 1-3 working days, depending on your area.
While we strive for timely deliveries, there are occasional instances where delays may occur. These are rare but can happen due to unforeseen circumstances.
Delivery Rates:
At checkout, you will be presented with delivery options and corresponding rates. These rates are provided directly by our courier partners and are displayed as is. On rare occasions, a courier may generate an incorrect delivery rate due to issues with the address recognition. In such cases, we will arrange for an alternative courier to deliver your order at a similar rate to the original cost.
We believe in offering transparency in our delivery fees and, as such, do not include any delivery costs in our product pricing. We do not profit from delivery fees.
Third-Party Couriers:
For the majority of our orders, we rely on third-party courier services for delivery. Regular notifications will be sent and on the day of delivery the couriers will notify you via sms, call or email . If the courier is unable to reach you, we will get in touch with you to arrange an alternative solution.
Please note, you will be required to sign upon delivery, and the drivers may request a form of identification.
If there is something wrong with your product, we will gladly issue a full refund of 100% of your purchase amount. To process this, please reach out to us at info@mothercityliquor.co.za as soon as possible, and we will guide you through the refund process.
Order Cancellations:
If you need to cancel your order, simply email us at info@mothercityliquor.co.za, and we’ll assist you with the cancellation process. Please note, cancellations will incur a small fee of 10%, which covers the transaction fees we incur for processing each order. If your order has already been shipped, please be aware that the shipping fee is non-refundable.
Consignment Orders:
We do not offer consignment stock or consignment deals.
Returns:
If you find that there is an issue with your product, you are eligible to return it to us. Here’s how you can initiate the return:
Exceptions to Returns:
Sale or Special Offer Items: Only regular-priced items are eligible for a refund. Unfortunately, items purchased on sale or as part of a special offer cannot be refunded.
