Scali Pinotage 2016

Growing area: Schoone Oord, Voor-Paardeberg

Aspect: Southern slope
Soil type: Decomposed shale and gravel on Iron rich clay

PINOTAGE GRAPES
Low yields, small berries and phenolic ripeness on a balanced vine are the key elements we work for in the vineyard. From pruning of the vines in winter, de-suckering in spring, removing of any green berries on remaining bunches, to removing of any raisins or damaged berries just before harvest, meticulous attention are given to fruit quality and vine balance. After this vineyard triage, the final quality control is done by Tania and Willie before crushing.

SCALI PINOTAGE WINEMAKING
The grapes are hand harvested early in the morning into well vented crates of 10kg capacity and cooled over night to 5°C. Crushing and destemming takes place directly into open top Oak fermentation vats. Pre-fermentation maceration at a temperature of 10°C maximum, lasts for approximately 3 days with regular CO2 additions to provide a blanket against oxidation. We make use of natural/wild fermentations with regular pigeage (punch-downs), followed by a maceration for another 7 days. After skin contact, the wine is pressed and transferred into barriques where malolactic fermentation completes.

SCALI Pinotage age for 36 months in older French oak barriques, after which it was bottled unfined, unfiltered and may deposit sediment.

TASTING NOTES
Seductive ripe red berry fruit, spicey notes and minerality. A well balanced after taste of succulent fruit with velvety tannin structure. We recommend ageing of 3 to 10 years during which time sediment may be deposited in the bottle, and that this wine be decanted to allow it to express it’s true soul!

Alc.: 14%