Scali Syrah 2016

Growing area: Schoone Oord, Voor-Paardeberg

Aspect: Southern slope Soil type: Decomposed granite and gravel on shale, Decomposed shale and Conglomerate gravel on Iron rich clay
THE SCALI SYRAH GRAPES Low yields, small berries with dark color 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 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.

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 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 fermentation with regular manual punch-down of the floating, fermenting grapes-skins (pigeage), followed by a maceration for another few days. After skin contact, the wine is pressed and transferred into barriques where malolactic fermentation completes.

AGING
SCALI Syrah ages for ±24 months in old French oak barriques, then bottled unfined, unfiltered and may deposit sediment.

TASTING NOTES
Seductive ripe, dark red fruit and floral notes with pepper, fynbos and fennel spices, and a good dollop of minerality. A long, lingering, well balanced after taste of succulent fruit with excellent tannin structure. We recommend ageing of 5 to 10 years during which time sediment may be deposited in the bottle, and that this wine be decanted.

Alc.: 14,5%