Signal Hill Clos d'Oranje Syrah 2018

This single vineyard is the only Cape Town city wine, nested at the foot of Table Mountain. Planted in 2001, this pure syrah is rooted directly on vitis-vinifera, making it susceptible to phyloxera. It is a rarity in the world of wine. These high density planted vines (12000 vine per hectare density) are non-irrigated and cultivated by hand following biodynamic principle since 2010.

Winemaking: The 2018 vintage was fermented with 50% hand sorted full bunch due to the perfect ripeness of the stems on this years. Natural yeast fermented in an open tank, punched down once a day for the first 5 days and just a daily remontage. Total fermentation took 14 days, pressed in a basket press, press wines were not incorporated in the final wine. Malolactic fermentation in the barrels, French oak, Nevers 225 litres, 6 years old wood for 15 months.

Tasting: Intense spicy red and black fruits touch of black pepper an iodine, maraschino cherry type. Very grippy palate, long texture finish with a spearmint freshness. Wine still restrained, will benefit from a couple of years of cellaring. Decant and aerate before service.

Pairing: Pork belly slow roasted, pumpkins fries.

Production: 550 bottles of 750ml

Analysis:
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 1.9 g/l
pH: 3.62
Total sulphur 38ppm