‘Falkirk’, Scotland is where the Newton family originated, meaning ‘speckled stone church’ for the chapel that has stood there since the 6th century. ‘Falkirk potjies’ also refer to the iconic three-legged cast iron pots in South Africa that institutionalised the making of ‘potjiekos’(various stews) on the open fire over a century ago. The name represents the 11⁄2 hectare vineyard site of deep deposits of stone and rock where the only Rhône wine varieties are to be found on the lowest plateau of the farm. Bushvines of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre were planted to discover the contrasting nuances these vines produce from this Granite-derived soil.

TASTING NOTES

Deep, dark and brooding aura of mulberry, cacao bean, soy sauce and savoury charcuterie, softened by the serene scents of fynbos (dried herbs and wildflowers). The sleek and generous texture, bustling with sumptuous tannins, coats the palate with layered flavour in to a linear finish lingering with wild berries and liquorice.

ANALYSIS

Alcohol by volume: 14,3%

Total Acidity: 5,5 g/l

pH: 3,42

Residual sugar: 2,4 g/l

LOCATION & CLIMATE

This vineyard lies on a plateau on the lowest slope in the porphyritic Granite soils of the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. This appellation ranges from 4 to 8 km in proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. The climate is cool and temperate, where parallel mountain ranges channel the southerly oceangoing winds through the appellation during the summer. These southerly winds in turn create regular sea mists and overcast conditions, moderating the temperatures in the valley. The annual rainfall is 910mm, with 50% falling in the winter months (May – August).

APPELLATION: Wine of Origin UPPER HEMEL-EN-AARDE VALLEY

BLENDED VARIETIES: 100% Mourvèdre

S O I L: Stone fragments and decomposed granite on iron-rich clay

ASPECT: North-West facing. Slopes of 10-12%. Bushvine (Goblet)

TRELISSING: Bushvine (Goblet)

AGE OF VINES: 17 years

PRUNING: Bushvine (Goblet)

VINES PER Ha: 5020

AVERAGE YIELD: 8 tons/Ha (54 hl/Ha)

2022 VINTAGE

Growing Season & Harvesting

The growing season was preceded by a glorious Winter for vine dormancy. Abundant rain from May through to August and 45 chilling portions to a late budbreak in mid-September, ensured an even budbreak and good fertility in the vines. An exceptionally cool Spring produced late flowering from mid to late November, with a storm system causing some wind damage during flowering on 25th November. As December passed into January, the rain disappeared and the sun came out, producing a dry and warmer ripening period for the grapes. The drawn out growing season still culminated in an average ripening period of 107 days from flowering to harvest for both the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Abundant yields were observed in all varieties and excellent health of the bunches from the drier conditions.

The Falkirk Mourvèdre vineyard was harvested on 29th March.