Vineyard

Planted in 1983.  BK5 (Champagne) clone on R110 rootstock.  Vineyard site 360m above sea level south of Stellenbosch.  One of the cooler vineyards in Stellenbosch, though probably still far too warm for quality Pinot.  Soil medium potential red sandy loam.  No irrigation.  Average rainfall 950 mm p.a.  1996 planting to be PN115 & PN777 clones on R99 on new 400m hillside site with slightly poorer, better drained soil.

 

Vinification

Very low production and bird damage in both 1993 and 1994 (300g / vine) meant we had to combine these vintages to produce enough to sell.  Crushed and destemmed into an open tank with a small dose of SO2 added.  Although re-fermentation maceration was sought, fermentation got underway rapidly and proceeded furiously (32°C) and in both vintages was complete after 4 days and drained 3 – 4 days later.  (No cooling facilities available for cold soak – Cab. S. & Merl. far more sluggish to get started).  Malolactic fermentation and maturation (’93 – 21 mnths; ’94 – 9 mnths) in small (2nd fill) French oak with minimum racking and no fining.  Bottled unfiltered in claret bottles for convenience as our majority production is Cab. S. and Merlot!

 

Analysis

Alc.  12.11             Sugar  1.9            TA  5.2            VA  0.66            pH  3.62            SO2   25  -  69