2008 Stark Conde Syrah Stellenbosch

Winemaker's Notes
"A rich concentrated syrah, but without being jammy or over-the-top. At the time of release, still quite shy, but showing the almost claret-like elegance typical from this vineyard and the intense lushness and concentration coupled with soft tannins that are the hallmarks of this vintage."

Technical Notes
"100% Syrah. The grapes for this wine were hand-harvested in mid-February and cooled overnight to 12 degrees C., before being carefully hand-sorted and crushed into small open fermentation vats. The must was cold-soaked for a couple of days before being inoculated with a mix of domestic and imported Rhone yeasts. About 30% of the wine underwent natural fermentation and about 5% was whole-bunch fermented. Regular, vigorous punchdowns were given every 4 hours for the first half of fermentation, then every 8 hours thereafter. At dryness (average 7-10 days), it was basket pressed and racked directly to barrel for malo-lactic fermentation and subsequent barrel maturation. A mix of coopers was used, all French oak, all 300 litre, mostly second-fill (about 30% new). After 22 months barrel maturation, the wine was bottled without fining or filtration. 14.5% alc."