‘It could be like 1982 in Bordeaux. One of the stars of the century.’
– Lady May-Eliane de Lencquesaing of Glenelly on SA’s 2025 vintage
Damascene is the last major new-wave release of the year, and the wines are nothing short of profound. This is your last chance to secure exceptional Syrah and old-vine whites from the lauded 2025 vintage.
In partnership with David Curl, winemaker Jean Smit strives to produce the finest regional expressions from distinct, often extreme terroirs across South Africa. Their latest releases showcase the 2025 vintage – and they include some of the best young reds we’ve seen.
THE SYRAHS
Damascene’s regional Syrahs are transparent and precise. The Stellenbosch Syrah 2025 is sourced from the magic Polkadraai hills, while the Swartland Syrah 2025 is all schist – a vivid, savoury and brooding snapshot of the terroir. The Ceres Plateau Syrah 2025 is grown at over 1,000m and delivers tightly coiled energy. There’s no need to separate these wines – they’re all defining expressions of Jean’s talent and vision.
THE BORDEAUX RED VARIETIES
The Stellenbosch Cabernet Franc 2025, from a rocky Bottelary hilltop site, shows striking concentration and nervous tension born from poor granitic soils. Alongside it, the Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2024 offers a modern take on a classic; it blends fruit from disparate granitic wards (Polkadraai and Helderberg) for delicious depth and structure.
THE OLD-VINE WHITES
The superb Franschhoek Sémillon 2025 hails from the La Chataigne vineyard on the banks of the Franschhoek River, encompassing ancient bush-vine plantings now confirmed to be from 1932, as well as a vineyard from the 1960s. The Swartland Chenin Blanc 2025 is a wine of incredible finesse. It’s a blend of two mountainous sites and opens with a burst of crushed apple freshness, white stone and wild florals. Rounding out the whites, the Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc 2025 draws from shale, greywacke and granite soils, where vines planted as early as 1972 have produced a magnificent wine that’s deeply complex.
‘These are some of the best wines that I have ever made’ – Winemaker Jean Smit
Tasting Notes:
Damascene W.O. Stellenbosch Syrah 2025
‘A great nose with pepper and Campari bitters – just classic Karibib! There’s deep fruit, meaty notes and Nebbiolo-like reduction, the palate subtly dense with an umami richness and depth. The intensity is impressive in this vintage. Crystalline and striking, it speaks of this incredible vineyard. The tannins are exceptional. Dry and savoury, it keeps on changing – this is something special.’ – James Pietersen, September 2026
Damascene W.O. Swartland Syrah 2025
‘Immediately impressive, with fine white pepper and bay leaf, herbal complexity alongside notes of kelp, blood orange and ripe citrus. Off schist soils from two vineyards. The palate is deep and delicious with great density. An extraordinary wine with ripe oranges on the edges. Quite coiled for a Swartland wine, it’s wonderfully fresh, juicy and succulent with typical South African rose pelargonium. Pithy, electric, bright and lively, there’s a Negroni-like finish that’s a foil to the salty entry. Very long and refined. What a wine.’ – James Pietersen, September 2026
Damascene W.O. Ceres Plateau Syrah 2025
‘From 1,000 metres above sea level, the darker fruit offers great depth that shows just how impressive high-altitude wines can be. The nose is slower to open up and shows some cherry, hibiscus and cool blackberry fruit. This is one of the most complete wines I’ve tasted this year. A cool nose with gentle savoury Syrah notes folded into an array of fruit. Much more inward than the other expressions, it should last for a decade or more. The wine is just so intense, complex and perfectly ripe – it has all the parts in the right place. This is the stand-out release for ageing.’ – James Pietersen, September 2026
Damascene W.O. Stellenbosch Cabernet Franc 2025
‘A cool, earthy nose reminiscent of a freshly tilled meadow slowly opens to gorgeous crushed rose and fragrant concentration. There is an array of red to black berry fruit with taut cherry pip and plum skin at the core. The savoury palate offers notes of hoisin and preserved lemon, supported by super-fine and detailed tannins. There is so much going on here. The grippy, fine and chalky tannins add a graphite touch. Rich, fresh and clean to end. A wine of immense layered complexity.’ – James Pietersen, September 2026
Damascene W.O. Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2024
‘This walks a fine line between an old-school, tobacco-laced, graphite savoury style and a New World expression of bright fruit and a juicy palate. From Helderberg and Polkadraai fruit, this is a fresh, medium-bodied wine with a red-cherry-laced graphite finish.’ – James Pietersen, September 2026
Damascene W.O. Franschhoek Sémillon 2025
‘A poised and beautiful nose with waxy lemon. It’s crystalline and tensile, with just a hint of old-vine creaminess. Gentle notes of hay waft over summer citrus blossom. The wine is focused, juicy and fresh. Lemon and lime offer citrus complexity, especially on the palate. Hay, herbs and some buchu combine as the wine continues to unfurl. Absolutely superb in this vintage – a classic SA Sémillon. The palate is all restraint, the fruit juicy yet poised with pithiness and tension. Lots of fruit and length, almond paste and umami to end. A statement wine!’ – James Pietersen, September 2026
Damascene W.O. Swartland Chenin Blanc 2025
‘This wine has an extraordinarily refined and tight nose. The palate is a sharpened Japanese blade on entry, the concrete-matured portion adding a hint of flint. So fine and delicate – aromatically there are hints of flowers, lime, fynbos and just a touch of tarragon. So visceral! The nose slowly opens up to tart citrus zest, sea breeze, hay and fruit. A gentle tease.’ – James Pietersen, September 2026
Damascene W.O. Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc 2025
‘Shy to start, showing fine notes of green apple, freshly cut pear, a hint of sunny peach and attractive reduction, but the wine remains coy. The palate is arresting and austere. A wine to keep for a while – and in need of food – it’s taut and nervy with terrific length, lingering for minutes. Long and driven with a pithy bergamot end.’ – James Pietersen, September 2026
