Sutherland Syrah 2009

This Shiraz was aged in French oak barrels for 18 months. This wine is tasty and complex; showing black berry flavours with great texture on the palate. There are blackcurrant and fynbos aromas on the nose. Will reward cellaring.

Maturation

Will develop well for 5 years.

Food Pairing

The spicy character of this wine lends itself to stews and grilled beef.

Winemaker's Comments

All Vintages

Tasting Notes

Viticultural Practices

Varietal	Shiraz
Root stock	101-14
Soil type	Tukulu / Glenrosa
Age of vines	Planted 2004, 2005
Plant density	2353 vines/ha
Trellising	7 wire Perold with moveable foliage wires
Pruning	Spur
Yield	15 t/ha
Irrigation	Supplementary drip
Vintage	Like 2008, there was a late start to the 2009 harvest. Long, moderate, dry warm spells led to near perfect ripening conditions. Possibly one of the best vintages the Cape has seen.
Picking date	19-31 March 2009
Grape sugar	25.2 °B
Acidity	5.1 g/l
pH at harvest	3.57

Winemaking Practices

Yeasts	Natural occurring yeasts
Fermentation temp	28 °C
Method	De-stalked, hand sorting of berries, crushed, pumped into stainless steel tanks, pumped over for 5 days, left for 2 days before pressing, racked to barrel for malolactic fermentation.
Wood Maturation	18 months in barrel. 35% new French oak, balance 3rd and 4th fill barrels