Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13.93%
Grape Varieties Syrah
Syrah100%
Region Elgin
Soil Cartref, Granitic origin, Quartz
Grapes Picked April 3, 2018
Brix at Harvest 23.7°
Grape Clone SH22
Fermentation Vessels Open Topped Fermenters, Oak Barrel
Maceration 21 days
Oak Aging 17 months
Oak Details 50% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak50%
Oak Types French
Barrel Size 228 litre, 500 litre
Unfiltered Yes
Production Details The grapes were handpicked under autumnal skies into small lug baskets and then manually sorted on a conveyor before the stems were removed. The destemmed berries fell onto a vibrating table in order to remove jacks and substandard berries before dropping uncrushed into a small 500kg conical hopper and being forklifted into open-topped fermenters. The grapes underwent a 3-day maceration before spontaneous fermentation began. A gentle pigeage program was charted and the grapes remained on skins for 21 days. The wine was then racked to barrel under gravity and the remaining pomace basket-pressed. Malolactic then proceeded in barrel followed by a light sulphuring and 17-month maturation. No finings were necessary and the wine was simply racked and bottled unfiltered. A small number of artisanal coopers were selected, all from Burgundy and the Rhone, with only French oak chosen. Importantly, this wine was micro vinified as a separate batch. Over the years we have developed an algorithm to ascertain which coopers work best and how many new and used barrels are utilised. In 2018 50% was new oak; 30% 228 litre & 70% 500 litre barrels.
Tasting Notes
Palate: black fruit, black pepper, meaty notes
▸ Sources (1)
Producer Information
Website
Address
Elgin, Western Cape, South Africa
Phone
+27 21 200 2589
Owner
Richard Kershaw
Cellarmaster
Richard Kershaw MW