(BE WARNED – IT’S MORE OF A QUAFFABLE AND SMASHABLE RED THAN A ROSÉ – AND IS HIGHLY ADDICTIVE) – Once referred to as a “party starter” this vibrant Syrah-Cinsault blend is the perfect year round party in a glass! The grapes were carefully sourced from two bush vine sites in the Swartland. The Syrah vines were planted in 2001 in oakleaf soil (dense clay) with ferricrete as the top layer. The ferricrete sedimentary rock is renowned for higher levels of iron and water retention beneficial for dry farmed conditions. Syrah flourishes in this type of environment. The Cinsault vines were planted in 2003 on a sandy site not far from the Syrah.
Both lots were hand-picked and fermented with native yeast. The Syrah was whole bunch pressed immediately to old French barriques where it fermented and aged for six months in old barriques. The Cinsault spent four days on the skins and was then whole-bunch pressed to stainless steel. The Cinsault brings this buzz of awesome flavors to the party while the Syrah contributes to the freshness and structure. After six months the lots were blended and aged in stainless steel for an additional six weeks. In the words of Jurgen himself, ‘this wine is fun in its purest form’.