Description
Ramnasgras makes an interesting contrast with Ringmuur, showing more tannin, extraction and density than its paler, more ethereal sibling. Stony and granitic, with plum and red berry flavours, savoury intensity and a meaty undertone. 2023-30 94/100 Tim Atkin MW
Hermitake or Cinsault was once the workhorse of the South African wine industry but over the last couple of decades its star has waned in favour of the fancy Shiraz and the likes. This vineyard is occasionally bottled on its own and 2020 was one of these years. It possesses great fruit of the red spectrum, earthiness and some lovely spice. The palate is delicious in its transparency of fruit flavours, fair acid grip and gentle tannins.
Vineyard
This single vineyard was planted in 1954 on decomposed granite soils. The vineyard has a southeast exposition and is 1.6 ha in extent.
Vinification
The grapes are sorted meticulously in the vineyard and transported in small picking boxes to a refrigerated container where they are left overnight to cool. The whole bunches are fermented in old, seasoned wooden vats and pumped over once daily. When fermentation is almost complete, the grapes are pressed, and the wine is moved to a big foudre for 12 months. This wine was bottled directly off its gross lees.
Analysis
Alc. 11.5%
RS 2.4 g/L
pH 3.84
TA 4.6 g/L
