2015 Mullineux Syrah

Varietals: 100% Syrah

Bottling Date: 14th November 2016

Production: 31 560 bottles/2 630 cases & 580 magnums

Wine of Origin: Swartland

Technical Details at Bottling

Alcohol 13.5 %

RS 2.4 g/l

TA 5.1 g/l

pH 3.77

Source of Grapes

Grapes for our Syrah come from seven sustainably farmed vineyard parcels in different parts of the Swartland: four parcels planted in the stony Shale and Schist based soils of the Kasteelberg; two parcels of dry-land, bush vines grown in the decomposed Granite of the Paardeberg; and one on the rolling, iron-rich soils west of Malmesbury. Vines are aged between 20 and 27 years.

Date(s) Harvested

Grapes were harvested between the 26th January and 15th February 2015.

Yields: Between 4 to 6 tons/ha = 24 to 33 HL/ha.

Winemaking

Each parcel of grapes is chilled in our cold room then 50% is destemmed to tank and the remainder is added as whole bunches. Minimal SO2 is added and, as with all our wines, no further additions are made. The must is initially pigeaged once a day. After about 4 days, fermentation begins with indigenous yeasts and the wine is pigeaged once or twice a day, depending on extract and tannin development. Temperatures are kept below 28 °C. Fermentation lasts 7 to 10 days after which 3 to 7 weeks (also depending on tannin development) skin contact is given. The wine is then pressed to barrel for malolactic fermentation and maturation. Each parcel is racked in Spring to blend the wine, which is then returned to barrel and later bottled unfiltered and unfined.

Maturation

Aged 14 months in French oak 225L and 500L barrels and 2000L Foudre, 15% new.

Tasting Note

This perfumed Syrah has notes of spicy citrus rind, refined black fruit, violets and lilies. The palate is elegant and restrained yet with good body and a silky texture balanced by a fresh, natural acidity. The finish is long with supple tannins. Best served at 16 to 18 °C, this wine will greatly benefit from decanting if drunk within the first 3 to 5 years after bottling.