SIGNAL HILL – CLOS D’ORANJE – SYRAH 2018 - WO Cape Town

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