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Van Loggerenberg Wines

2022

‘High Hopes’

Red Blend   |   Swartland - South Africa
Shelf Talker Spec Sheet Wine Label Bottle Image

About

‘High Hopes’ is a very approachable red-berried Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault blend from dry-farmed Swartland vineyards. The name is one that was stuck in Lukas’s head for years, and he knew that when the time was right, he’d name a wine after it. When Covid hit, the name took on a whole new meaning, and finally, he had a red blend perfectly poised to bear this moniker. High Hopes is a call for optimism, and the label imparts a sense of adventure and starting something new. Anyone who’s ever fly fished before knows you start the day with really high hopes of catching dinner. Hot air ballooners? Up that high, all you have is hope. This red blend is one that just seems to lift the spirits. The Van Loggerenberg wines are pretty darn good at that.

The grapes were harvested manually and brought into the cellar for destemming, though one third of the Syrah remained as whole bunches. Each variety was vinified separately. Fermentation occurred spontaneously with native yeasts, and after a two week maceration period, the Grenache and Cinsault were pressed off the skins. The Syrah remained on the skins for an additions four weeks. The Cinsaut and Grenache went to old French oak and the Syrah went to a foudre for a 10 month aging period. The wines were then blended and bottled without fining or filtering, and with a small sulfur addition.

 

Stats

  • Grapes: 88% Syrah - 9% Grenache - 3% Cinsaut
  • Vineyard: Ongegund (Syrah) - Fairview (Grenache & Cinsaut)
  • Vine Age: 15-years old (Syrah) - 8-years-old (Grenache) - 26-years-old (Cinsaut)
  • Soil Type: Blue Slate (Syrah) - Iron-rich shale (Grenache and Cinsaut)
  • Viticulture: Practicing organic & dry-farmed
  • Fermentation: Native — stainless-steel (33% whole-bunch Syrah - de-stemmed Grenache & Cinsault)
  • Skin Contact: 6 weeks (Syrah) - 3 weeks (Grenache & Cinsault)
  • Aging: 10 months in a foudre (Syrah) and 300L old French oak (Grenache & Cinsault)
  • Alcohol: 13.7%
  • pH: 3.77
  • Total Acidity: 5.1 g/L
  • Total SO2: 65 ppm
  • Total Production: 625 cases
  • UPC: 0658325899153

Tasting Notes

There’s a real savory undertone to this unassuming red blend. The nose reveals black pepper, olive, cherry, and blackberry, and on the palate, the same flavors blend with brightness and crunch.

Press & Reviews

The WineMag

93

"88% Syrah, 9% Grenache and 3% Cinsaut from Swartland vineyards, the former undergoing 30% whole-bunch fermentation before maturation lasting 11 months in 500-litre barrels, the latter two in barrique. Predominantly red berries plus traces of floral perfume, fynbos, pepper and spice. The palate is light-bodied with fruit to the fore, lemon-like acidity and powdery tannins. Already wonderfully approachable. Alc: 13.5%."

- Christian Eedes

Vinous

93+

"The 2022 High Hopes is a Syrah-based Rhône blend from Swartland raised 25% in foudres and the remainder in used oak, their only wine based on schist soils. The bouquet is expressive with precise blackberry, violet, potpourri and crushed stone. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannins, structured and quite saline, gently building to exert impressive grip whilst maintaining elegance on the finish. Quite backward as you would expect, it will require 3-4 years in bottle. Serious Syrah for those that prefer Cornas over Hermitage."

- Neal Martin

Tim Atkin, MW

93

"Eben Sadie's Columella was the inspiration for this Rhône-style Swartland blend, made with Syrah, 9% Grenache and 3% Cinsault. Spicy, refreshing and zippy, it's a restrained, medium- bodied style with very little oak influence, red berry, bramble and pomegranate flavours and savoury tannins. A stylish second release. 2024-29"

- Tim Atkin, MW
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Producer


Van Loggerenberg Wines

Region


Swartland

Country


South Africa

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