‘Dawn of the Salty Tongues’

Syrah | Olifants River - South Africa

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About

‘Dawn of the Salty Tongues’ is a perfumed and fragrant Syrah from vines located in Vredendal, 15 miles from the cold Atlantic ocean on the West Coast of South Africa. In essence, this wine is a tribute to the people from the West Coast, raised from sand and salt and true to their roots. The label art is a reference to the rise of the West Coast as a new wine region and showcases divers picking grapes under the ocean, which contributes to the salty taste on the palette. “Salty tongues” is also a reference to the colorful language used by the local farmers and fishermen. Upon its maiden release in 2022, Greg Sherwood MW found himself fawning over this wine: “What else can I say other than this is undoubtedly one of the most exciting new additions to the South African Syrah landscape in the past 5+ years… which is saying a hell of a lot!”

Grapes were picked early in the morning to preserve freshness, then cooled down before being de-stemmed with 30% whole bunches into open fermenters the next morning. Fermentation started after three days of cold soaking and lasted for about two weeks with pumpovers three times a day. After fermentation, the wine was racked to 500 liter demi muids for 11 months of aging. The wine was then bottled with just a small addition of sulfur; no fining and no filtering.

Stats

Grapes: 100% Syrah
Vineyard: Vredendal
Vine Age: 26-years-old
Soil Type: Decomposed sandstone
Viticulture: Sustainable
Fermentation: Native – open-top fermenters (30% whole cluster)
Skin Contact: 14 days
Aging: 11 months in 500 liter demi muids
Alcohol: 13%
pH: 3.4
Total Acidity: 6.1 g/L
Total SO2: 63 ppm
Total Production: 208 cases

Tasting Notes

Ruby red. The nose shows graphite, red cherries, red meat, and kelp. On the palate, there is an intense sensation of saltiness with a dark cherry and saline finish.

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2024

‘Dawn of the Salty Tongues’

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