Sijnn Red 2015

Description

Deep true red colour. Lovely fresh dark wild berry nose with salty slate, licorice/fennel aspect that seems to be a signature Malgas character. Dense, juicy fruit palate envelopes the substantial, concentrated structure. Drinking well now, but expect it to go on and on. Some complex, spicy fruitcake on the mid-palate and a long, dry, silky finish. Best between 2019 and 2027.

Awards

95 pts Tim Atkin

4.5 stars Platter's South African Wine Guide

92 pts Winemag.co.za Rating

Certificates

Vinification

Handpicked and carefully sorted in 14 kg flat trays in the cool mornings, to avoid damaging and transported back to Stellenbosch. Further sorting in Stellenbosch and 98% destemming and gentle crushing directly into small open top tanks and oak vats. Spontaneous natural yeast fermentation @ max. temp. 29°C. Time on the skins 6 – 9 days, with caps of the skins punched down (pigeage) 2 to 3 times a day. Single pressing in traditional basket press and malolactic fermentation in barrels. The wine was bottled by hand, unfined and unfiltered.

Viticulture

The complex stony soils, together with a warm dry climate (350mm) moderated by constant sea breezes provides an ideal terroir to produce something unique. A mix of varieties from various origins deemed suitable to this area. All vines are grown as bush vines due to the exceptional low yield and vigour. This is the fourth vintage from the 6 year old vines as well as some 5 year old vines. All vines planted on a mix of drought resistant rootstocks – Rug.140; R99; R110; Paulsen – and a mix of clones for complexity and diversity.

Maturation

We used a mix of barrels in the first year of maturation and mostly 700ℓ in the second year of maturation. This better respects the complexity of the fruit while softening the wine sufficiently. 20% new French oak used – all 700ℓ. Time in barrel 21 months, which included 3 rackings to gradually clarify the wine and assist maturation.