Grapes
100% Shiraz from Stellenbosch
Vineyards
A small portion (10%) of the grapes were sourced from young vines on the Seven Sisters Farm. The remainder are from Neil Ellis Vineyards on the slopes of the Helshoogte Pass. These vineyards are 10-year-old trellised vines with high-density planting, yielding an average of 6 tons per hectare.
Winemaking
The grapes were picked at 25° and fermented with open pump overs. Malolactic fermentation occurred in 500-litre French oak barrels and maturation took place in both 300 litre and 500-litre barrels with 20% new wood used, the remainder in 2nd and 3rd fill barrels. The wine was matured in barrels for 15 months, excluding that of the unwooded portion of wine from Seven Sisters Farm.
Tasting notes
This wine is medium bodied with vibrant ripe flavours of cherries and plums, supported with the balanced use of French oak and complimented with notes of pepper and spice. It is ideally accompanied with a rack of lamb or barbequed lamb chops.
Alcohol
14.0%