Kershaw Wines Clonal Syrah 2019
In 2012, owner Richard Kershaw MW established Richard Kershaw Wines to create clonally selected, site-specific, cool climate wines in the Elgin Valley district of South Africa. The grapes for the Clonal Syrah come from five small vineyard parcels in several locations in the Elgin Valley. At the winery, the destemmed grapes were transferred to small open-topped fermenters. A three-day maceration was followed by spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts. Gentle pigeage took place and skin contact lasted for 20 to 26 days, before being run off and the remaining marc being gently basket pressed. The wine was racked by gravity to barrel where malolactic conversion took place. Maturation in French oak lasted for 17 months. Each clone and soil type was micro vinified as separate batches. 41.5% was matured in new oak, with 23.6% aged in 228-litre barriques, 69.8% in 500-litre casks and 6.6% in 'breathable' concrete eggs. Bottled without fining or filtration. This is a subtle and precise style of Syrah built on fine tannins, harmony and freshness with flavours of black skinned fruit, iodine and ground white peppercorns.
