Minimalist Wines is the brainchild of Sam Lambson, who started making wine while still in his early twenties and studying Oenology at Stellenbosch University. From the very beginning, his goal has been simple: let the grapes and their cool-climate vineyards speak for themselves. He works with sites in Elgin, Cape Agulhas, and parts of Stellenbosch, using gentle, minimal-intervention techniques in both vineyard and cellar. The result is Syrah that feels honest and site-driven, capturing the unique character of each vineyard rather than heavy-handed winemaking. Despite being a young producer, Sam’s wines have already earned recognition for their elegance, nuance, and clear expression of terroir.
The 2023 No Place Like Home Syrah is an elegant, finely detailed wine from a small Elgin vineyard, showcasing the character of its sandstone and shale soils. The nose is fragrant, with dark plum and damson fruits, floral perfume, and subtle notes of cardamom, thyme, and black pepper. On the palate, it is savoury and herbaceous, with vibrant acidity and fine-grained tannins that give structure without heaviness. The finish is long and lifted, with lingering dark fruit, spice, and a refined herbal nuance, making this a Syrah that speaks of precision, elegance, and pure vineyard expression.
