Technical Specifications
Alcohol 13.84%
Region Elgin
Soil Cartref, Granitic origin with quartz
Grapes Picked March 28, 2018
Brix at Harvest 23.9°
Grape Clone SH9c
Fermentation Vessels Open-Topped Fermenters
Maceration 27 days
Oak Details 50% First Fill New Oak
First Fill New Oak50%
Oak Types French
Barrel Size 228 litre barrels
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 27 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% is new oak; 100% using 228 litre barrels.
Tasting Notes
white pepper, violet/lavender, Victoria plum, iodine
▸ Sources (1)
Producer Information
Website
Address
Elgin, Western Cape, South Africa
Phone
+27 21 200 2589
Email
Owner
Richard Kershaw
Cellarmaster
Richard Kershaw MW