The Foundry Syrah 2006 Wine

The grapes were sourced from a single vineyard of Syrah situated only 4 km from False Bay on the chilly Atlantic Ocean. The vineyards are planted on low vigour, well drained, granitic origin soils. The vines are managed to retain a healthy balance between grape production and growth and the crop was reduced to 5 tons per hectare.
The mature vines are naturally low yielding and all damaged or unripe grapes were removed before harvest. The fruit was uniformly ripe and was picked on the basis of analysis, taste and vine physiology.
The grapes were de-stemmed and partially crushed directly into custom-made 5 ton stainless steel fermenters. Approximately 10 of the berries remained whole. The first half of fermentation was allowed to proceed naturally, while the second part was completed by neutral Rhone yeast. The cap was manually punched down twice a day at the beginning of fermentation and then pumped over for the remaining 2 days. At the end of fermentation the wine was pressed and the wine run directly to barrels. The pressed wine was kept separate. The wine underwent natural malolactic fermentation in oak. 300 l "hogsheads" were used and 18% of the barrels were new, the remainder were second fill. The wine received one racking during the first year of elevage. The best barrels were selected bottled after 14 months in oak, and bottle unfiltered.
Tasting Notes:
Deep, opaque purple-ruby in colour. The enticing perfumed bouquet is exotic with hints of wild herbs, plum fruit and a pronounced savoury and spicy character .The palate is intense and rich with generous ripe fruit and structured, silky tannins. There is a delicious, lingering, fruit and spice aftertaste.
Alcohol : 14.4% TA : 6.1g/l pH : 3.6 RS : 2g/l