NGERINGA ROSÉ 2017

The NGERINGA Rosé is made with Syrah from our three vineyards: Summit, Rufus and Iluma. The Summit vineyard is planted on an easterly facing slope at 380m above sea level on a soil of sandy loam over clay and with Lake Alexandrina as its backdrop. The Rufus vineyard, by contrast, is westerly facing on the opposing side of the hill with a rocky, red ironstone soil over clay. The Iluma vineyard, also on a westerly facing slope, is of a sparkling micaceous schist over clay. All our Syrah vineyards are planted at a density of 6700 vines/ha.

VINTAGE NOTES

Vintage 2017 was notable for a variety of reasons. Having kicked off the season back in early spring with an early bud burst, cooler and considerably wetter conditions set in, slowing down vine flowering. Wet soils through spring and early summer, including a storm of cataclysmic proportions in late December, combined with cool nights right through January, culminated in an uncommonly slow, late veraison - the stage when grapes begin to sweeten and take on colour. Despite the wet weather, we managed to avoid the worst of the common fungal pitfalls through vigilance and persistence in the vineyards. By February and March, warmer, dryer days finally prevailed allowing for a long, slow ripening period and a comparatively late harvest. During this final phase, the grapes achieved excellent phenological ripeness with structured tannins and ripe flavours. The sum total of the conditions were ultimately perfect for our preferred style of winegrowing, yielding wines that are elegant and refined but with fully ripe, balanced characters. The wines from the 2017 vintage will be ones to watch.

TASTING NOTES

“This wine still fits the mould of being the perfect 'Pink for Grown-ups’ "- Erinn Klein, Winemaker.

Aromas of mandarin and citrus blossom, fresh wild mixed forest berries, crisp fresh red apples and hits of our classical Syrah spice which carries over onto the pallet. Long lingering flavours of lively berry fruit, it has savoury depth and silky texture.

WINEMAKING NOTES

Fermented in 100% old, seasoned French barrels. Aged for nine months in barrel on full lees. Wild fermentation, no enzymes, spontaneous malolactic fermentation, gentle extraction, warmer fermentation, minimal temperature control. No fining. Estate bottled. Small amounts of sulphites added before bottling.

(SKU: NG_ROS_17)