Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13.5%
Residual Sugar 2.5 g/L
pH 3.64
Total Acidity 5.3 g/L
Calories (estimated) 115 kcal / glass
150ml glass115 kcal
750ml bottle575 kcal
Grape Varieties Syrah
Syrah100%
Region Elgin
Soil Shale-derived glenrosa soil
Harvest Dates 1st and 5th March 2019
Brix at Harvest 21.4°
Grape Clone SH1
Fermentation Vessels Open-Topped Fermenters
Pressing Method Destemmed, Basket-Pressed
Natural Yeast Yes
Indigenous Yeast Yes
Maceration 20 days
Oak Aging 16 months
Oak Details 33% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak33%
Oak Types French
Barrel Size 500 litre barrels
Unfiltered Yes
Production Volume 1,978 bottles
Bottles1,978
Production Details Total vineyard production: 3.345 tons from 2 vineyard blocks of Syrah (1 trellised and 1 bush vine). 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 20 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 16-month maturation. No finings were necessary, and the wine was simply racked and bottled unfiltered. A small number of artisanal coopers were selected from Burgundy and Rhone, with only French oak chosen. This wine was micro-vinified as a separate batch. Over the years an algorithm has been developed to ascertain which coopers work best and how many new and used barrels are utilised. In 2019 33% was new oak; 89% using 500 litre barrels and 11% in breathable eggs.
Tasting Notes
Nose: lavender, Chinese 5 spice, black plum, dried pear, white pepper, prune
Palate: garrigue, cistus flowers, dried apple rings, cinnamon, allspice, milk chocolate, apricot, menthol, dry spice, chalky fine tannins
Critics Ratings Platter's Wine Guide 2022: 4.5*
Platter's Wine Guide 20224.5*
Neal Martin (Vinous, November 2021)94/100
Tim Atkin MW (South Africa Report 2021)92/100
Jancis Robinson MW16.5/20
Individual Vintages
Producer Information
Website
Address
Elgin, Western Cape, South Africa
Phone
+27 21 200 2589
Email
Owner
Richard Kershaw
Cellarmaster
Richard Kershaw MW