Nicolas van der Merwe Syrah 2017

Hand-picked, full ripe grapes were harvested over a period of three weeks from four different, non-irrigated and low yielding vineyards planted on cool slopes. The grapes were fermented in tank with added yeast culture at 27-29°C with pumping over every four hours for 20 min. After fermentation, the wine was left for five days on the skins, then gently pressed and transferred to French oak barrels where natural malolactic fermentation took place. Only then was sulphur added.

The wine matured without racking for 18 months in 225 litre French oak barrels, 10% new and the remainder in equal parts 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill barrels. Only selected barrels were used in the final blend.

This full bodied Syrah, concentrated and elegant, shows intense floral flavours of violets, as well as white pepper, laced with soft, silky tannins. Well integrated wood gives this young, complex Syrah a firm structure to mature in style for many years. A perfect companion to venison, beef, cheese and cassoulet.