Technical Specifications
Alcohol 14.55%
Residual Sugar 1.5 g/L
pH 3.74
Total Acidity 5.7 g/L
Calories (estimated) 120 kcal / glass
150ml glass120 kcal
750ml bottle600 kcal
Grape Varieties Syrah, Touriga Nacional, Mourvedre, Trincadeira, Cabernet Sauvignon
Syrah41%
Touriga Nacional27%
Mourvedre18%
Trincadeira10%
Cabernet Sauvignon4%
Drinking Window 2015 and 2020
Region Malgas
Soil Slate, Rolled stones
Vineyard Yield 20 hL/ha
Vine Age 6 year old vines as well as some 5 year old vines
Fermentation Vessels Oak Vat, Open Top Tank
Pressing Method Traditional Basket Press
Natural Yeast Yes
Maceration 6 days
Oak Details 20% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak20%
Oak Types French
Barrel Size 700L
Bottling Date 10/12/2011
Sulfites 41.0 ppm
Unfined Yes
Unfiltered Yes
Production Details Handpicked and carefully sorted in 14 kg flat trays in the cool mornings. Further sorting in Stellenbosch and 98% destemming and gentle crushing directly into small open top tanks and oak vats. Spontaneous natural yeast fermentation @ max. temp. 29°C. Time on the skins 6 – 9 days, with caps of the skins punched down (pigeage) 2 to 3 times a day. Single pressing in traditional basket press and malolactic fermentation in barrels. Used a mix of barrels in the first year of maturation and mostly 700L in the second year of maturation. 20% new French oak used – all 700L. Time in barrel 21 months, which included 3 rackings to gradually clarify the wine and assist maturation. The wine was bottled by hand, unfined and unfiltered.
Tasting Notes
deep red colour, slate, wild berries, herbs, nuts, subtle liquorice, barrel maturation character, rich texture, layered, complex flavours, attractive dry finish
Critics Ratings Wine Spectator: 93
Wine Spectator93
Jancis RobinsonWine of the Week