Syrah 2020
Shiraz, Stellenbosch, South Africa

VINTAGE
The vintage of 2020 had good, cool growing conditions with a wet October that luckily did not affect flowering. Very little rain and wind in November was ideal for berry set. Cool and dry conditions during ripening allowed tannins to develop without the accumulation of sugar, resulting in smooth, ripe tannins. Optimal conditions meant that harvesting took place as expected but we had to rush to finish ahead of the Covid lockdown.

VINIFICATION
Estate grown grapes are hand-harvested and partially destemmed, with 15% of the grapes kept as whole bunches. Fermentation takes place in open-top fermenters with manual punch- downs and pump-overs performed 2 to 4 times daily. Maceration continues for 14 to 21 days. Parcels and clones are vinified separately. Wine is matured in 500L French oak barrels for 18 months using a combination of 16% new and 84% seasoned oak.

TASTING NOTES
Rich black fruit with a floral perfume of musk. Blackberry compote, blueberries and ripe damson plum combine with spicy paprika, sweet red pepper and sandalwood. Round, juicy black fruit follows on the palate, with intense black cherry, crème de cassis and chilli chocolate. Layers of complex flavours are revealed as the wine opens. Refined tannins are well integrated with the intense fruit, balanced by zesty acidity. Full bodied and structured with a long finish of blueberry and black pepper. Date tasted: 1 July 2022

Varietal Composition: 100% Syrah