Tannat is a varietal that shows potential in South Africa and we have planted vineyards in a number of prime sites. The bold Tannins that characterise this variety are balanced by this wines concentrated lush fruit flavours.
IN THE VINEYARD:
This Swartland vineyard was planted in 2004, on Koffieklip soils. The vineyard was initially planted as bushvines, but we subsequently trellised the vines as we felt that it would benefit the quality of the grapes. The vineyard is unirrigated and yields were below 3 tons per hectare.
HARVEST DATE:
March 2007
WINEMAKING:
Grapes were hand picked at 26 degrees balling and stored for 24 hours in a cold room at 2 degrees Celsius. All the fruit was hand sorted over a sorting table and any burnt or damaged berries were removed. Fermentation was in open 2 ton French oak vats, after which the skins were gently basket pressed. The wine was transferred to 100% new Burgundian French oak barrels for malolactic fermentation and maturation. The wine spent a total of 15 months in barrel.
TASTING NOTE:
Black cherry and liquorice character on the nose. Full bodied, with complex palate. Sweetness of the fruit flavours balance with the tannins and subtle hazelnut character of the oak. The tannins provide a lovely structure to the wine, without dominating.
WINE ANALYSIS:
WINE OF ORIGIN: Swartland
ALCOHOL: 14.29%
RESIDUAL SUGAR: 2.4g/l
TOTAL ACID: 5.9g/l
pH: 3.44
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