"Aromas of red cherry, wet stone and crushed thyme. Medium-bodied with silky, slightly tight tannins. Subtle and nuanced, with nice transparency and clarity. Crunchy and lingering. Drink now."

- James Suckling (November 2022), 91  pts

"The 2017 Syrah Single Vineyard Series Topside is slightly brighter and more vivid on the nose compared to the Steepside with red cherries, crushed strawberry and just a light dab of dark chocolate. The oak is neatly integrated here. The palate is medium-bodied with a fleshy opening, very well balanced with a judicious touch of white pepper that becomes more prominent on the finish. - Neal Martin"

- Antoinio Galloni's Vinous (September 2022), 94 pts

"Topside is all made with the 470 clone and hails from a single vineyard with a westerly aspect that sees very little sunshine in the mornings. Denser and firmer than its stablemate Steepside, this a dark, inky, brooding Syrah with fig, damson and Asian spice flavours and lots of stony grip. 2025-35"

- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2022 Report), 96 pts

"Syrah lovers could spend a long time discussing the relative merits of Alex Starey's single parcel Syrahs. I have a very slight preference for Topside in 2018, partly because its cooler terroir on Stellenbosch Mountain was well suited to the drought conditions of the vintage. Restrained, focused and built to age in bottle, it has sage and oregano perfume, savoury tannins, refreshing acidity and minerality and flavours of plum, raspberry, red cherry and tobacco leaf. 2025-32"

- Tim Atkin (South Africa 2023 Report), 97 pts