Description
One of the few Stellenrust wines that doesn’t come from Stellenbosch, this is a classic Piekenierskloof Grenache from a vineyard that was planted at altitude in the early 1980s. Mulberry and red cherry flavours are supported by firmish tannins and just a soupçon of wood spice.
A wine that evolves in the glass over hours – and more so over days in the bottle. At first, it shows restraint red berry fruit and earthy notes on the nose. The palate has dense red cherry, some liquorice and meaty flavours with a structured cedar oak tannin reminding you of the granite slopes of the Piekenierskloof, where these grapes come from. Food pairing: It can be enjoyed slightly chilled as an aperitif or paired with hearty meals like traditional Cape Bobotie or other spicy dishes like Thai green chicken curry. Tertius Boshoff
General Notes
After reaching tremendous international and local success with Stellenrust, owners Tertius Boshoff and Kobie van der Westhuizen decided to take things back to their roots to create wines without boundaries. The old Bottelary cellar was reinstated and the birthplace of the first artisan wines created by a passion for old vineyards and special sites. The ArtiSons winery allows us to free our spirits and make wines as natural as possible and as true to nature as possible.
In the vineyards
The Voor Paardeberg has long been home to some of South Africa’s greatest Rhone wines. This ArtiSons – SeriesRARE version of it is handpicked from one of the oldest dryland vineyards planted in 1974 to the spooky slopes of the Voor Paardeberg – with the winter mist clothing these old vines – the vineyard seems ghostly – hence named the Phantom Grenache and like the Star Wars sequel The Phantom Menace – this is also Episode 1 of storytelling from these beautiful old vines. Grenache from Voor Paardeberg dryland bush vines.
Vinification
Grapes are picked between 24-25 balling. 41% are whole-bunch fermented and the rest crushed into open tank for 8 days skin contact with manual punch downs. The grapes are basket pressed, and 14% fresh stalks are reintroduced to stabilise colour and infuse a balanced tannin structure. It is then matured for 16 months in larger 2 and 3-year-old French oak barrels.
Winemaker: Tertius Boshoff
ANALYSIS
Alcohol: 14.12%
RS: 2.4 g/L
pH: 3.52
TA 5.5 g/L
