When South African Bryan MacRobert met Clara Canals, his life became permanently linked to Spain and the D.O. Ca Rioja (in the northeast of the country). Here, as a member of the Canals family, he launched MacRobert & Canals, a project that aims to escape from the monotony of the wood that is so typical of this region, showcasing the nuances and variety of the Riojan vineyards.
Drivers of this new wave, Bryan and Clara have managed to surprise everyone with their very limited productions. However, people never forget their roots and Bryan is no different. South Africa is never far from his mind; so much so that today, together with his Rioja wines, he continues to produce South African wines: MacRobert & Canals Abbotsdale Syrah.
To make MacRobert & Canals Abbotsdale Syrah Bryan he returns to Abbotsdale, where he was born. Here, just 50 km north of Cape Town, Bryan’s parents cultivated their own vineyards. And that was significant! And what better variety to represent this area of the New World than Syrah, the second most planted red grape in the country and the fourth in general (behind Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Colombar). To make MacRobert & Canals Abbotsdale Syrah this variety, which was widely planted in the 1990s, grows on sandy granite soils in vineyards that are exclusively selected by Bryan.
During the entire winemaking process, both the work in the vineyard and in the winery is totally respectful of the environment, following organic principles. Following a manual harvest, the grapes are taken to the winery where they undergo a meticulous selection process. From here the grapes go directly to the tank, where some stems may be added so that MacRobert & Canals Abbotsdale Syrah maintains freshness and varietal aromas and flavours. After fermentation, MacRobert & Canals Abbotsdale Syrah is pressed, obtaining a fine must that is racked into large used vats.
As of today, South Africa has the fourth largest Syrah plantation. MacRobert & Canals Abbotsdale Syrah is one of the best examples you can get your hands on.