Sutherland Emily Petit Verdot 2020

92 Points - TIM ATKIN 2022 / 4.5 STARS - PLATTER'S WINE GUIDE 2023

After establishing Thelema Mountain Vineyards as an iconic Stellenbosch winery, winemaker Gyles Webb started Sutherland Vineyards as an exciting new venture in the cool-climate region of Elgin. Crafted from the finest lots, the Reserve Collection bears tribute to Gyles’ four beloved granddaughters. Strong, untamed and spirited, this wine is named after Emily Edna Hilton (The Feisty One) – Gyles’ second granddaughter. The Emily Petit Verdot ushers in the third generation of family and a new season to explore the exceptional.

Food Pairing

A perfect partner to your herb crusted lamb kebab.

Winemaker's Comments

An intense melange of white pepper, violets and dark chocolate on the nose that leads to a toasted tobacco and cigar box finish on the palate. A serious wine that would own a place in any cellar.

All Vintages

Tasting Notes

Viticultural Practices

Varietal	Petit Verdot 100%
Root stock	Mgt 101-14
Soil type	Tukulu
Age of vines	Planted 2005
Plant density	2353 vines per ha
Trellising	7 wire Perold system, with movable foliage wires.
Yield	10.5 t/ha
Irrigation	Supplementary drip
Vintage	Cool weather conditions constituted smaller more concentrated berries, leading to wines with great natural acidity and flavour
Picking date	26 February 2020
Grape sugar	24.9 °B
Acidity	7.36 g/l
pH at harvest	3.4

Winemaking Practices

Yeasts	Alchemy 4
Fermentation temp	28 °C
Method	De-stalked, hand sorting of berries, crushed and pumped into stainless steel tanks, pumped over for 5 days once per day, left for 2 days before pressing. Racked to barrel for malolactic fermentation. Wine spends 18 months in 225l new French oak barrels.