2017 Kershaw Elgin Syrah
The grapes were handpicked under autumnal skies into small
lug baskets and then manually sorted on a conveyor before the stems were removed.
The destemmed berries fell onto a vibrating table in order to remove jacks and
substandard berries before dropping uncrushed into a small 500kg conical hopper
and being forklifted into open-topped fermenters. The grapes underwent a 3-day
maceration before spontaneous fermentation began. A gentle pigeage program
was charted and the grapes remained on skins for 20-26 days. The wine was then
racked to barrel under gravity and the remaining pomace basket-pressed. Malolactic
then proceeded in barrel followed by a light sulphuring and 17-month maturation.
No fining's were necessary, and the wine was simply racked and bottled unfiltered.
This Syrah went through a 17-month maturation. No fining's were necessary, and the wine was simply racked and bottled unfiltered.
Tasting Profile: Subtle, precise style built on fine tannins that educe harmony,
freshness with flavours of black skinned fruit, iodine and ground white peppercorns.
Barrel Selection: A small number of artisanal coopers were selected from
Burgundy and Rhone, with only French oak chosen. Importantly, each clone and
soil type are micro vinified as separate batches. Each batch used an algorithm that
we have developed to ascertain which coopers work best and how many new
and used barrels are utilised. Overall, the average in 2017 was 41.5% new oak;
23.6% 228 l; 69.8% 500 l, and 6.6% breathable eggs.Wine of Origin: Elgin, Western Cape, South Africa.
Total Vineyard Production: 10.2 tons selected from 5 small parcels of Syrah.
Bottle Size: 750ml