This wine’s black core with purple rim is the first sign of its intensity. Fragrant pink pepper spice, wild blackberries and classic graphite are some of the flavours you will find in the perfumed bouquet. The palate is generous and lush with sweet bold fruit and brandied cherry nuances that lead to a full bodied palate and a grippy but ripe tannin structure.
Harvest
The 2015 harvest will go down in the history books as one of South Africa’s best. It was surely one of the driest and earliest in years but with a somewhat smaller wine grape harvest that is promising exceptional wines. Berry sizes were smaller and temperatures were moderate during the harvest time - leading to low pH, higher acidity and excellent flavour spectrums.
Vineyard
The grapes were sourced from a family owned property on North Western slopes of the Bottelary Hills in Stellenbosch. Soils are all weathered granite with crumbly clay sub-soil (Clovelly) and the vines are not irrigated. This and the fact that the 15 - 20 year old vineyards are low yielding (6 tons/ha) result in full bodied and concentrated wines.
Winemaking
The grapes were harvested by hand and brought to the cellar where the bunches are destemmed and inoculated with commercial yeast. The fermentation process commenced in stainless steel tanks and lasted around 10 days. Aroma and colour extraction were achieved by aerated pump-overs 3 times daily. The wine was aged in first (20%) and second fill (80%) 225L French oak barrel for 24 months.
Varieties
59% Shiraz, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot
Analysis
|
Alcohol: |
RS: |
TA: |
pH: |
|
14.5% |
4.1 g/l |
6.2 g/l |
3.57 |
Production
1500 bottles
Serving Suggestion
Serve with rich and flavourful stews and casseroles, mature cheese or barbequed meat.