Elgin Vintners Ridgelands Syrah

W.O. Elgin

100% Syrah

About us Established in 2003, Elgin Vintners, situated in the cool-climate Elgin Valley, have 45 hectares of vineyards. Our main cultivars are Pinot Noir Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc. We also have Merlot and Syrah. We believe in sustainability on all fronts, in our business, vineyards, and our people. Our wines continually receive numerous high-profile globally-renowned accolades and outstanding reviews from reputable wine critics. Elgin Vintners wines show exceptional poise, finesse, and elegance.

Terroir This is a cool area, situated 12-20 km from the sea, with a mean February (ripening stage) temperatures of 19-20°C. Soils are predominantly ferruginous (iron-rich) gravel on highly weathered, soft Bokkeveld Group shale, situated at 200-300 m altitude and surrounded by Table Mountain sandstone mountains at heights of about 500-1 000m, sheltering the area from the often extremely strong south-easterly winds in summer.

Viticulture Clones used were SH9, SH5 and SH99.

Vinification 10% Whole bunch and 90% of the grapes were crushed, de-stalked, and allowed 3 days cold soak. The fermentation took a total of 16 days at an average temperature of 24 – 26°C with pump-overs twice per day. Malolactic fermentation commenced on the skins. This post maceration lasted 12 days. The wine was pressed, allowed to settle, and finished malolactic fermentation in the tank. The wine was then racked to barrel where it spent 18 months is 90% French oak and 10% Hungarian, of which 20% was new.

Tim Atkin 91 pts

James Suckling 91 pts

Platter’s South African Wine Guide 4 stars

Alcohol: 14.5% Residual Sugar: 2.4 Total Acid: 4.9 pH: 3.69