Vineyard Blocks

A single block at Dornier, lower down the valley, was grafted over from Cabernet Sauvignon (planted in 2003) to Tempranillo in 2010. (So, essentially a mature vineyard). Due to our Sijnn winery in Malgas, I was curious to work with the grape and in 2013 purchased 1 ton as a one off adventure. It is an excellent well- kept vineyard on your left as you drive into Dornier. Typical decomposed granite soil of the area with medium to high growth potential.

Yield approx. 7 tons / ha. 8% Syrah incl.

 

Vintage Conditions

2013 vintage was characterized by extreme wind in late spring, which seriously reduced our crop and foliage for all our varieties. This block of Tempranillo was relatively sheltered and spared much damage. The rest of the season was good with typical hot, dry weather during the harvest period. A slightly earlier harvest than average with all the hand harvested and sorted grapes coming into the cellar in perfect condition.

 

Production 

Handpicking into 20 kg lugboxes. Destemming and gentle crushing directly into small open top fermentation tanks. Spontaneous natural yeast fermentation @ max. 26 deg. with the cap of skins punched down manually 2 - 3 times a day for 11 days. Wine drained directly to barrels together with single pressing from basket press.

Time in barrel 27 months with 1/3 new French oak in the first 18 months before blending to a single 700L old oak barrel for a further 9 months.

This wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered by hand.

Bottling date: 8 / 6 / 15.

Production: 80 x 12 x 750ml

 

Tasting Notes

Medium deep, ruby red colour. Dusty red mulberry and dark cherry nose with leather and dried tomato notes. Palate shows similar flavours with slightly dusty, grainy tannins from the beginning to the end of the palate. Needs a little more bottle age. Benefits from decanting, but probably best between 2017 and 2023. Try with cured meats, tomato based pizza and baked pasta.

 

Analysis

Alc. 14.88          SG. 1.4g/l         TA 5.8g/l          pH 3.73         VA 0.67         SO2  12free & 44total