Vineyard Details:
Grapes for our 2014 Granite Syrah were sourced from a single parcel of sustainably farmed 21 year old dry land, bush vines grown in the decomposed Granite of the Paardeberg. This is the parcel of Syrah that gives the best expression of the Paardeberg’s terroir – freshness and perfume.

Tasting Note:
This violet-perfumed Syrah is the most elegant of our single-terroir Syrahs. The palate is medium to full bodied and delicately spicy, with a silky texture balanced by a fresh, natural acidity. There are notes of black pepper, violets and lilies, red berries and herbs. Aging potential 10 – 15 years. Decanting recommended.

Harvest Details:
Grapes were harvested on the 6th February 2014 with a yield of 6 tons/ha (33HL/ha)

Winemaking:
Grapes were first chilled in our cold room then the whole bunches were put into open-top 500L French oak barrels and foot stomped to release some juice. Minimal SO2 was added and, as with all our wines, no further additions were made. After about 4 days, fermentation began with indigenous yeasts and lasted about 10 days. A further four weeks of skin contact was given after which the wine was drained and pressed to barrel for malolactic fermentation and maturation. We pigeaged once a day before, during and after fermentation. In Spring the wine was racked and after a total of 23 months in barrel was bottled unfiltered and unfined. 10 months of aging in bottle was then given before release.

Technical Details at Bottling:
Alcohol 14% - RS 1.9 g/l - TA 5.2 g/l - pH 3.75

Review:

"There was no Granite Syrah in 2013, but this Paardeberg single vineyard release is back on top form in 2014. Floral, racy and aromatic, with 100% whole bunches adding some clove and pepper spice, this builds on the palate, with grippy tannins complementing the savoury red fruits. Impressive stuff. Drink: 2016-22."
- Tim Atkin Master Wine (SA Special Report 2016), 95 pts