Vintage conditions
2018 was a dry vintage in the Cape. Thunderstorms in early spring added a lot of nitrogen to the soils resulting in very healthy canopies going into the growing season. The daytime temperatures during the ripening period were cooler than those experienced in the very hot 2016 and 2017 vintages, with relatively cool evenings. Conditions were very dry though, with vine stress management being key to success. Fruit harvesting tended to be very early in 2018, with a focus on bringing fruit into the winery with lower sugar levels and lower pH levels.
Vinification details
The grapes were picked in three different passes in order to achieve optimum ripeness and balance in the final wine. The grapes were handpicked in the early morning hours, with bunch selection done in the vineyard. Fruit was cooled down and then gently pressed, whole bunch, and the juice was settled overnight without the use of settling enzymes. Fermentation occurred naturally in French oak barrels (20% new), using indigenous yeasts, with about 20% of the volume completing malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged on its lees in barrel for 10 months, without any bâtonnage.
Green credentials
Accredited Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) estate.