Grenache, Swartland, 2022
This granite-driven Grenache flickers with notes of wild strawberry, red cherry, rosehip and citrus. Pretty, juicy and saline with great energy, the 2022 vintage consists of five Grenache noir vineyards, the core being a vineyard on the Paardeberg planted in the early 2000s, to a rough final blend of 60% Granite, 30% Schist and 10% Other. Twelve different pickings were carried out across the five Grenache noir vineyards. 45% of the wine was fermented and matured in concrete, the rest in used 500L French oak for a year. One punch down per day over 3-5 weeks on the skins, aiming for minimal, gentle extraction. 2022 saw hydric stress in some vineyards, together with sunburn which prompted Sadie to pick early and put all the best fruit in to this Grenache. There will not be a CWG bottling this year.
critic reviews
Beginning with a floral and red-fruited nose, the 2022 Grenache Noir offers notes of raspberry and dusty plum with a delightful floral lift from whole cluster. Medium-bodied, the palate is succulent and fresh, offering a lingering tannic edge before a soft herbal flavor creeps into the long, red-fruited finish. Theres a touch of reduction on the aftertaste. Enjoy with food.
The 2022 Grenache Noir comes from five parcels on granitic soils, made using 60% whole bunches between 3 and 5 weeks on the skin, matured in concrete vats and 500-liter used oak barrels. It has a lively bouquet with red cherries, cranberry, rosemary and thyme, and touches of earthenware. The medium-bodied palate has sappy red fruit, gentle grip and a keen line of acidity with sour cherry, crushed strawberry and earthy notes towards the finish. Drink over the next decade.