Mountainside Syrah (Stellenbosch)

We're taking an important step with the revamped eco packaging for this range which reflects our profound commitment to sustainability, where we consider the wellbeing of our land, our people and ultimately our planet.

IN THE VINEYARDS

Two mature, trellised, mountainside vineyards, planted with a variety of clones produce this Syrah. Overlooking False Bay, the vines enjoy the cooling influence of the famous Cape Doctor (the prevailing South Easterly wind during summertime). The rocky, gravelly nature of the soil promotes the production of balanced, finely textured wines which show restrained fruit and interesting spice and fynbos notes. Over the winter, rainfall figures came close to the long-term average for Stellenbosch, which came as a relief to many. The cool daytime conditions (and especially nights!) of December and January meant that our earlier varieties ripened with lovely acidity and great freshness, all at lower alcohol levels. 

IN THE CELLAR

Grapes were hand harvested, crushed and destemmed into large stainless-steel fermenters where cold soaking was employed for several days on the skins to promote fruitiness, colour and flavour. Cool, spontaneous fermentation and a quick removal from skins after its completion was chosen as opposed to warm fermentation and extended post fermentation skin  contact which would have led to over extraction. Pump-overs were limited to one or two a day depending on the phase of fermentation and this has resulted in the extraction of soft tannins and a lithe texture. Half of the wine was matured in older French oak barrels (3rd, 4th and 5th fill) for 5 months and assembled with the tank matured half before bottling.

A NOTE FROM THE WINEMAKER

A refreshing Syrah from the Cape shows rosemary and lavender perfume over crushed black pepper and bright plum fruit. Elegant and soft textured yet intense and rewarding. The wine is medium-bodied and lingers to a tapering finish. In an age where Syrah is known for making big, polished and powerful, often sweet-fruited wines, we have chosen the path less travelled by showing a restrained and subtle expression of one of the Cape’s most exciting varieties.