£19.99, WaitroseCellar.com and 17 branches
This cracking Syrah – full-bodied and velvety but with a peppery freshness that has echoes of the northern Rhône – is from the Borman family, whose farm is on the granite Polkadraai hills west of Stellenbosch. It starts with an inviting perfume of violets and peppery spice, adds a savoury suggestion of game, moves through rich red and darker fruit and draws on complexity and immaculately polished tannins from 14 months' ageing in oak (only 15% of it new). It's a winner with beef, lamb, venison, pigeon and duck, dishes cooked with black olives, herbs and garlic, or the savoury, earthy flavour of green/brown lentils. Here are two of my recipes to try with it: Beef with shallots in red wine and 7-hour leg of lamb.
If you want a budget South African Syrah/Shiraz, look out for regular offers on Porcupine Ridge Syrah 2016, taking it below £7. I'm not suggesting it has anything like the complexity of Boschkloof, but it's hard to find a better Syrah anywhere at the price.
Boschkloof Syrah 2015, Stellenbosch, South Africa
£19.99, waitrosecellar.com and 17 Waitrose branches