In The Cellar
"100% Syrah. Those who are familiar with our earlier vintages will recognise that a new ‘dot’ has been added to this label, signifying this addition of fruit from Agulhas to the blend. This year, the composition is: 84% Elgin (Niemandsrivier) 9% Agulhas, 7% Stellenbosch. We harvest in the cool, early hours of the morning, into 14kg Lug boxes and transport grapes back to the cellar in refrigerated trucks where they are allowed to cool overnight. After gentle foot-stomping and crushing, the Agulhas fruit was fermented one third whole-bunch, Elgin 15% wholebunch and Stellenbosch 100% wholebunch. Natural fermentation gets underway, at its own pace, in a combination of open and closed fermenters. Once complete, we macerate gently with a single, daily pumpover/punchdown."
In The Vineyard
"A cool vintage, producing distinctly cool climate wines. A cool spring kicked the growing season off to a slow, far from textbook, start. After early leaf fall and uneven bud burst, wind and frequent showers persisted during flowering. High humidity late into the growing season caused high Botrytis and Mildew pressure, followed by cool weather which slowed ripening by three weeks. Though the result was reduced yield, extended hang time and careful selection in the vines has yielded an intensely coloured, decadent vintage."
"Blended Syrah vineyards from Agulhas 33%WB, Elgin 25% WB, Polkadraai hills using 100% whole bunches. Classical and broody with black plum, black currant and peppery bramble berry fruits with subtle, smoky, German deli cured meat nuances. Cool and harmonious, the palate texture is impressively elegant with a dense core of saline black berry fruits with hints of black liquorice, plum spice and a long, full bodied, fleshy finish. I just love the seamless integration of these three vineyards where the whole is most definitely greater than the sum of all its parts. Drink on release and over the next 5 to 8+ years."
(95/100 Greg Sherwood MW)
