Grenache Noir 2019

Seasonal Conditions

A very wet winter, with good late winter rains, made for excellent budding and berry development. Winter was very cold, keeping the wines dormant until spring and a slightly cooler than usual summer ensured even ripening and above average yields of excellent quality grapes, resulting in complex, layered wines with fresh colours and elegant flavours.

Tasting Notes

A bright, exuberant wine with light violet hues. The nose shows an abundance of fresh cranberries, sour cherries and raspberries with hints of floral and fennel notes. The palate is soft and refined, revealing sour cherries, salty dark chocolate, game biltong and subtle hints of tobacco leaves, fresh, green pepper and cinnamon. The tannins are smooth and well integrated, giving a beautifully rounded and lingering finish.

Viticulture

The Grenache Noir vineyard was planted in 2006. It is a south west facing, high altitude, dry land vineyard. The hot, dry conditions mean that the bush vines are resilient and produce low yields.

Viniculture

The fruit was hand harvested into small crates at 23˚Balling. The entire harvest was whole-bunch fermented in an open stainless steel tank. The wine finished fermentation on the skins and was pressed when dry. To retain fresh, fruity aromas 50% of the wine was aged unoaked and the balance was aged in 2nd fill, 500l French barrels for 14 months. Strictly limited production of 2620 numbered bottles.

Serving suggestions

Enjoy with a charcuterie board, salmon, game fish carpaccio or a smoked mussel pot. Pairs beautifully with a salty dark chocolate fondant and berry coulis. Serve a touch cooler than other red wines.