Perched on a plateau of slate and rolled stones, about 15km from the southern oceans of Africa. Our first vintage in our new winery at Malgas, near the mouth of the Breede River – called Sijnn by the original Khoisan inhabitants. Wine of Origin Malgas, we are effectively a “Monopole” in the greater Cape South Coast region.
(The French term, bleed off, referring to the process of draining some juice off the skins)
The complex stony soils, together with a warm dry climate (350mm Rainfall) moderated by constant sea breezes provides an ideal terroir to produce something unique. Most of the soils have round pudding stones in the top 600mm or so, with weathered schist in the subsoil. All vines are grown as bush vines due to the exceptional low yield and vigour from the 10 and 11 year old vines. Yield: 3,5 ton/ha (25hl/ha)
An excellent growing season with no problems. Our earliest harvest to date and very hot weather at the beginning of the ripening season. A modest crop of great intensity and we couldn’t afford to bleed off much juice, so we also picked a small amount a little earlier, specifically for the Saignee.
Handpicked and carefully sorted in small crates in the cool mornings. Destemmed and gently crushing directly into small open top tanks, including some 700l wooden vats. Drained off the skins (saignee) a day or two later at about the time spontaneous natural fermentation starts. Fermentation and further maturation in 225l oak barrels for 9 months. Lightly fined with bentonite (natural clay) and bottled by hand unfiltered.
Bottling date: 22/11/2016
Production: 90 x 12 x 750ml
Very light red colour with a russet hue. (Like a dark rose’ or light Pinot Noir)
Beguiling savoury nose with complex red berry flavours, with forest floor and flint aspects. Palate light and soft on texture, but loaded with complex barrel fermented flavours and a long grainy, refreshingly dry finish. Versatile food wine. Excellent with light curry dishes, especially fish, chicken or vegetable with moderate heat / spice. Serve slightly chilled (between a red and white wine temperature) Best between 2019 and 2021.
Alc. 13,59%
SG 2,3g/l
TA 5,1 g/l
pH 3,64
VA 0,84g/l
SO2 Free 16 mg/l & Total 71mg/l