Nose
The sweet, spicy aromas evoke cardamon, vanilla beans and candied fruit.
Palate
Flavours reminiscent of summer pudding greet the palate, developing into the richer fig and Christmas
cake characteristics typical of Cape Mentelle Zinfandel. The palate is full and robust with a firm core
of chalky tannins perfectly balancing the density of the wine. This zin is ready to drink or cellar for up
to six years.
Growing Conditions
A cold calm winter was followed by a mild spring lacking the extremes occasionally endured in
the south west. The growing season was dry from mid-November through to mid-April. Judicious
irrigation maintained vine health allowing a long, slow ripening season with most varieties
harvested up to seven days later than usual. The rains held off throughout March and April to allow
a smooth, problem free harvest, completing a fantastic vintage.Grapes are primarily sourced from the Estate Vineyard, planted in 1972, as well as the McHenry
Vineyard, planted in 1994 and our Foxcliffe Vineyard, planted in 1999. All sites share similar soil types,
growing on deep gravel laterite soils derived from decomposed ironstone over clay sub soils.The Estate
vines are dry farmed.
Winemaking
All the zinfandel was handpicked between 14 and 19 March. Sugar levels were relatively high, ranging
from 25.5 to 30 brix.After crushing the must is allowed to soak for several days prior to fermentation to soften up the raisins
before being innoculated with a vigorous yeast strain. The wine steadily ferments to dryness in barrel
by springtime and naturally completes malolactic fermentation. We use 50% new oak barrels, primarily
French, for a total of 20 months.
Appearance
Garnet