I visited Flint Wines to connect with Sam Lambson, a notable South African winemaker gaining recognition for his winery, Minimalist Wines. At just 28, Sam has already produced nine vintages, all centered around a single variety: Syrah.
His passion for Syrah began with a 1998 Jamet Côte Rôtie, leading him to believe that Chenin Blanc and Syrah are pivotal for the future of South African wine. The inception of Minimalist Wines occurred in 2018 while he was studying at Stellenbosch, where he crafted his first wine at the age of 21. UK wine importer Richard Kelley tasted it and was impressed enough to purchase half of the initial release, which significantly motivated Sam.
After years of working in various cellars, he established his own winery in Cape Town’s Gardens area, a neighborhood undergoing gentrification. This unique location allows visitors to experience his focus solely on Syrah sourced from exceptional vineyards.
The wines hail from three distinct regions: Cape Agulhas, known for its harsh climate and wind, where grapes are harvested around early March; Elgin, where they have a vineyard adjacent to Iona, also benefiting from cool climates; and the Polkadraai Hills in Stellenbosch, a prime spot for high-quality Syrah. Recently, a new parcel in Banghoek was added to his collection.
Sam produces a blended Syrah called Connect the Dots, which combines elements from all regions, alongside two single-vineyard wines from Agulhas and Elgin. His winemaking philosophy emphasizes minimal intervention. Grapes are hand-picked, placed in small 18 kg crates, and transported in a refrigerated truck to ensure freshness. They are sorted before entering concrete fermenters. Sam initially used whole clusters for the 2018 and 2019 vintages but switched to destemming until returning to whole clusters in 2025; he believes that grape stems provide essential context to the wine’s vintage.
Though a negociant, Sam takes on farming responsibilities for about half of his parcels under long-term leases. In the vineyard, he follows an approach of limited intervention, opting for fungicides only when absolutely necessary, with aspirations for a fully organic setup in the future.
Minimalist Wines sees aging handled primarily in unlined concrete and used oak, with a preference for the former due to ease of cleaning and to maintain the wine’s purity and tension. Sam employs sulfites to ensure the wine’s quality, drawing parallels between risks of brettanomyces in different wine regions.
As for the wines themselves:
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Connect the Dots Syrah 2023: Characterized by its juicy and peppery profile, with a light, elegant feel and a harmonious blend of berry and cherry flavors, rated at 93/100.
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Connect the Dots Syrah 2024: A textured and fine vintage, noted for its peppery spiciness and good acidity, attaining a score of 94/100.
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Stars in the Dark Syrah 2025: Aromatic with a fresh palate, showcasing bright red fruits and herbal notes, rated at 95/100.
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No Place Like Home Syrah 2025: Offers dense, concentrated black cherry flavors with a vibrant profile, also rated at 95/100.
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No Place Like Home Syrah 2024: Features floral notes and silky cherry fruit with a refined palate, receiving a score of 95/100.
To explore more about Minimalist Wines, visit their website.